Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a state of emergency as North Carolina ramps up its response to the threat of the novel coronavirus.
Seven cases have been diagnosed so far in North Carolina residents, all in the Wake County in the central part of the state.
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the state of emergency means government officials can take extra steps to protect residents, anti-price gouging laws will go into effect and additional funding may be offered to help officials respond to the situation.
Cooper made the declaration at a news conference Tuesday morning with other state officials at the N.C. Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.
Video courtesy WRAL-TV:
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