Just days after President Donald Trump announced his strategy for the nation’s response to the spreading coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp revealed he has assembled a statewide task force to manage preparations.

There have been no cases in Georgia of the novel coronavirus that started in China.

"Georgia's coronavirus task force represents a coalition of subject-matter experts from the private and public sectors who will work together on preventative measures, strategic deployment of resources, and collaboration across all levels of government," Kemp said.

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Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey joined Kemp for a press conference at 3 p.m. where they assured residents that officials are preparing for any scenario possible.

The governor stressed more than once there are no known cases of the coronavirus in Georgia. However, a metro Atlanta couple aboard a cruise ship last month, which had docked in Japan,  had tested positive for the virus while in quarantine.

MORE: Atlanta Couple Tests Positive For Coronavirus Aboard Cruise Ship

“We’re asking everyone to remain  calm and follow guidance we’re getting from federal — and you’ll be getting from state — officials, as well,” Kemp said.

The tasks force’s 18 members will address procedures for preventing, identifying, and addressing cases of COVID-19. Considering the record number of travelers coming through the world’s busiest airport, the governor has also named General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport John Selden to his task force.

“We’ll certainly be talking to them about [the coronavirus],” Kemp said. “But I just came from the airport; I was in the airport yesterday and, you know, there’s still a lot people going through the airport and I would urge people to follow the direction they’re getting from health officials.”

Soon after, Kemp addressed the first meeting of the task force, holding their first meeting Friday afternoon.

Governor's Coronavirus Task Force:

Felipe den Brok

Director – City of Atlanta’s Office of Emergency Preparedness

Homer Bryson

Director – Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency

Major General Tom Carden

Adjutant General – Georgia National Guard

Chris Carr

Attorney General – Office of the Attorney General

Sharon Cooper, RN, MSN

Chair – State House Health & Human Services Committee

Greg Dozier

Commissioner – Technical College System of Georgia

Cherie Drenzek

State Epidemiologist – Georgia Department of Public Health

Tim Fleming

Chief of Staff – Office of the Governor

John Haupert, FACHE

Chief Executive Officer – Grady Health System

John King

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner – Georgia Department of Insurance

Colleen Kraft, MD

Director – Emory University Clinical Virology Research Laboratory

Ryan Loke

Healthcare Advisor – Office of the Governor

John Selden

General Manager – Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Lorri Smith

Chief Operating Officer – Office of the Governor

Kathleen Toomey, MD, MPH

Commissioner – Georgia Department of Public Health

Ben Watson, MD

Chair – State Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Richard Woods

State School Superintendent – Georgia Department of Education

Steve Wrigley

Chancellor – University System of Georgia

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