Just the name sends chills up the spines of many after seeing the impacts of this virus on China, Iran, Italy, and several other countries. Now the virus, not even visible to the human eye, has made its way to U.S. soil—including Ohio.

   According to WLWT, the first three cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Cuyahoga County, Ohio on Monday, an area near Cleveland. In response, Ohio governor Mike DeWine has declared a state of emergency.

“The state of emergency that I’ve declared in Ohio is a legal necessity that allows state departments and agencies to better coordinate their response,” DeWine told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

   While the new cases are worrying some sick and not yet posing a concern to others, most communities are taking precautions in the event of an outbreak, including Cincinnati and the surrounding areas.

  Unfortunately for SHS, taking precautions means canceling almost all of the spring break trips and upcoming field trips, such as the AP European History trip.

   “When the coronavirus started developing in Italy and France, I was kind of frustrated at first, but then I realized I should start preparing for the trip to be canceled,” said Sophie Carter, 10, AP European History student.

   In addition to the canceling of trips, DeWine announced during a news conference on Thursday that all Ohio schools will be closed to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, beginning at the end of the day Mon., March 16. The closing will last for the next three weeks.

“We are in a crisis, so we have to treat it like one. We’re all in this together,” DeWine said, as per WLWT.

   While the canceling of trips covers any exposure abroad, Cincinnati health officials are beginning to express concerns surrounding the large events coming up in the Queen City, as per WLWT. With the Cincinnati Reds opening day canceled, and the Flying Pig Marathon in May, preparations are already being made.

“Public Health Partners are discussing and being prepared. As information changes by the day, this is actually kind of a daily conversation about what’s needed for each event,” said Greg Kesterman, the health commissioner for Hamilton County, to WLWT.

   However, Cincinnatians can help in small ways to reduce the impact of the virus in our area.

   This may not come as a surprise, but one of the number one preventative measures is washing your hands, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Other preventative strategies from WHO include: avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, seeking medical care early if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and perhaps most importantly, staying informed on the current conditions of the virus using reliable sources.

   As the world continues to watch the spread of the coronavirus, it is hard to predict where it could end up next. However, through simple acts such as washing our hands, even Cincinnati can help fight back against COVID-19.