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Difference between contracting coronavirus versus the flu
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Two people in Florida tested "presumptively positive" for coronavirus Sunday, resulting in a public health emergency across the state.

A presumptive positive case means the patient has tested positive by a public health laboratory and is pending confirmation testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the CDC.

Difference between contracting coronavirus versus the flu © Provided by USA TODAY Difference between contracting coronavirus versus the flu

Nationwide: Coronavirus live updates

Here's what you need to know: 

Public health emergency issued

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents tested “presumptively positive” for coronavirus.

Another eight tests are pending, according to the state Department of Health. Fifteen others have tested negative for the virus.

DeSantis will hold two news conferences today. One at 10:30 a.m. in Tampa and the second at 2 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Miami.

Florida patients in Manatee, Hillsborough counties

The first patient is an adult Manatee County resident without a travel history to countries identified for restricted travel by the CDC, the state Department of Health said in a news release.

This person did seek health care, is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials.

The Florida Department of Health is working with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and implement testing of anyone who may develop COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

The second patient is an adult resident of Hillsborough County with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials, the release said.

Both adults will remain isolated until “cleared by public health officials.”

More: A dire phase of the coronavirus outbreak? 'Boom' of US cases 'should be expected' as global death toll tops 3,000

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What are the most common Coronavirus symptoms?

How does it spread?

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes.

These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Coronavirus, explained: Everything to know about COVID-19

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure.

Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems — such as high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes — are more likely to develop serious illness.

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How to prevent coronavirus

There currently is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

More: There are some steps you can do to try to avoid coronavirus

Take these everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
  • Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing

Have symptoms or know someone who might have been exposed?

A person who experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their health care provider and local county health department and mention their recent travel or close contact.

If a person has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, they should call ahead to a health care professional and the county health department.

The health care professional will work with the state Department of Health to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health's website.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Is coronavirus in Florida? Here's what you need to know and what you should do

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