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Rochester, N.Y. -Here are the latest developments about responses to the coronavirus-COVID19 outbreak in the United States, as reported by USA TODAY Network staff. This story will be updated as needed several times a day as stories are published.

a red plastic cup on a table: Kristen Pascal, a senior research and development specialist, works with cells being used in effort to create antibodies to treat people exposed to the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated in China, at Regeneron in Tarrytown, New York Feb. 10, 2020. The process involves injecting pseudo-coronavirus into genetically altered mice that produce human-like antibodies. © Tania Savayan/The Journal News Kristen Pascal, a senior research and development specialist, works with cells being used in effort to create antibodies to treat people exposed to the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated in China, at Regeneron in Tarrytown, New York Feb. 10, 2020. The process involves injecting pseudo-coronavirus into genetically altered mice that produce human-like antibodies.

Mapping confirmed cases: Interactive map

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Self-quarantine in Wayne County

An unspecified number of Wayne County residents who recently returned from an overseas coronavirus hot spot are voluntarily isolating themselves at home, the county health department said Thursday morning.

None of the people are displaying symptoms or have had any need for coronavirus testing, spokesman Ryan Mulhern said. They're resting at home and monitoring themselves for any signs of illness.

The federal government recommends that citizens returning from China, South Korea, Italy or Iran quarantine themselves at home for 14 days as a precaution against infecting others should they have contracted the virus overseas. Those four countries have the high incidence of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Mulhern declined to say how many Wayne County residents were isolating at home or what country they had visited.

At least 31 Monroe County residents have been self-quarantined after overseas travel. As of Monday, 25 had completed their 14 days at home while six remained in isolation.

More than 1,000 Westchester County residents are in home isolation due to possible contact with members of one family who have tested positive for the virus. Another 28 in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties are also in quarantine, according to the Albany Times-Union.

Coronavirus in New York

The current total of confirmed cases in Westchester rose to 18. The statewide total is 22. All the new Westchester cases are people connected to the New Rochelle lawyer who was the first in Westchester to come down with the coronavirus.

Concern over the coronavirus outbreak in Westchester has extended to Washington D.C. as it emerges some people the 50-year-old man and his family may have come in contact with at their synagogue traveled to Washington D.C. this week, where they attended a conference that drew thousands of people and featured appearances by major government figures, including Vice President Mike Pence.

State officials may wrestle with expanding quarantine across New York if the coronavirus outbreak expands. 

The New York Attorney General Letitia James warned consumers on Thursday that there are some scams out there related to the spread of the coronavirus. 

First responders: Business as usual

Firefighters come in contact with people with a wide range of infectious diseases on a daily basis. "With the coronavirus, it has heightened everyone's awareness levels," Lt. Ryan Fleming  of the Rochester Fire Department told the Democrat and Chronicle Wednesday. "But if there's coronavirus or if there's flu, we have protocols in place that we follow at all times. We are definitely cautious and well aware of the coronavirus, but it doesn't change the protocols. They've always been in place."

Patient tested in Rochester

A patient complaining of a respiratory illness at Rochester General Hospital is being treated as potentially suffering from infection with the novel coronavirus.

Testing is underway to determine whether the patient suffers from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, or from some other illness, according to a spokesman for Rochester Regional Health, which operates the hospital on Portland Avenue.

He or she was placed in an isolation area in the hospital to prevent the spread of any infectious agents.

School Boards looking for guidance

A poll by the New York State School Boards Association found that two-thirds of school board members are looking for additional guidance from public health officials on how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak as more cases are identified.

How much does a coronavirus test cost?

Factcheck.org has been looking at online rumors about the cost of running the tests to confirm whether patients have COVID-19. 

Telemedicine could play vital role

a man sitting at a desk with a computer monitor and keyboard: Colette Madison, a physician assistant with Rochester Regional Health, demonstrates a telehealth connection. The "patient" is RRH employee Cole Nardi. © Steve Orr Colette Madison, a physician assistant with Rochester Regional Health, demonstrates a telehealth connection. The "patient" is RRH employee Cole Nardi.

Rochester Regional Health is highlighting the role that its telemedicine service Care Now could play in treating potential patients with coronavirus COVID-19 remotely.

Patients served by the RRH network who come down with viral infections are urged to call their primary care provider. In some cases, they will be told they can remain at home and obtain on-going medical advice through Care Now.

Most people who contract COVID-19 will not need hospitalization and can weather the illness at home, RRH officials said Wednesday. Keeping contagious patients isolated at home also protects health-care staff and other patients.

Other updates

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Advice from schools

School districts across Monroe County have been emailing parents this week about the coronavirus, seeking to limit the spread of germs in schools and assure worried parents they’re monitoring the situation.

The letters have come from nearly every district in the Rochester area. They contain no new health information – wash your hands, stay home if you’re ill – but serve to direct parents toward the most up-to-date information from county, state and federal agencies.

Some address the question of school-sponsored travel. Many districts have spring trips to New York City or Washington, D.C., but none have announced yet they are cancelling them.

As spring break nears, camp nurses issue coronavirus guidelines for vacation camps.

Household advice

a stack of flyers on a counter: Gaps in toilet paper shelves at Wegmans in Gates © Steve Orr Gaps in toilet paper shelves at Wegmans in Gates

Here's a guide to sensible household stockpiling if you needed to stay at home for an extended length of time, and can't find hand sanitizer? Here are some commonly found household substitutes. 

Got concerns? Mask or no mask? A doctor answers your questions. Still need to know more? Submit your question in the box below.

So you think you know how to wash your hands? You're probably doing it too quickly. Brush up with these easy tips.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Coronavirus: What's happening in Rochester, NY and across the US now

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