An individual in Wake County is the first person in North Carolina to have tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, according to a press conference held by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper at the State of North Carolina Emergency Operations Center around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

According to officials at the conference, the person flew in from Washington and is isolated at their residence. They are in contact with local health officials at least twice a day. Criteria for release for anyone with the virus includes no symptoms and two negative test results that occur 24 hours apart.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is spread through respiratory droplets and can be contracted by breathing in an infected person’s cough or sneeze. Cooper advised people to disinfect household surfaces, wash their hands and avoid touching their face if possible. Anyone with symptoms is advised to stay home and avoid other people.

Health officials at the conference said that the majority of people who have the virus, approximately 80%, have mild symptoms. The mortality rate is approximately 1.4%, and may go down as more is learned about the virus. Older people are more at risk with the disease.