Governor Janet Mills will hold a press conference at noon today, to talk about preparations being made for the possible arrival of the coronavirus in Maine.

At last report, there are no diagnosed or presumptive cases of COVID-19, the coronavirus, in the state. (A 'presumptive' diagnosis means that the patient has tested positive for the virus in Maine, but it still needs to be confirmed by the national CDC.) Still, state agencies, healthcare facilities, and others are making sure they're ready to handle whatever may come in the future.

WABI-TV reports Governor Mills will be joined in the cabinet room of the state house at noon today by Dr. Nirav Shah, Executive Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services' Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, and Department of Administrative and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa. Dr. Shah's daily briefing has been canceled for today so he can be at the Governor's press conference.

It was announced on Wednesday that Maine has received $4,567,500 in funding from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support the state's efforts to deal with the coronavirus. While there have been no confirmed cases of the illness, Governor Mills says the money is greatly appreciated, to help state and healthcare agencies prepare for and fight potential cases.

More From WQCB Brewer Maine