The United States surgeon general came to Connecticut Monday to visit the state's public health lab.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams met with Gov. Ned Lamont, Public Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell and Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

He toured the lab in Rocky Hill and got a briefing on the state's efforts to combat the coronavirus. Adams says the risk of getting the virus is still low and is encouraging people to not believe the hype.

"We want folks to know that your risk as an individual remains low. But that doesn't mean that we as your health officials and state officials aren't doing everything possible to prepare for what we know will be increased cases of coronavirus," said Adams. "I would be absolutely shocked if we get anywhere near the hospitalizations or deaths from coronavirus that we'd had from the flu in this country."

Officials say 18,000 people have died in the country from the flu.

Lamont announced new steps the state is taking to stay ahead of a possible coronavirus outbreak in Connecticut.

Lamont says the federal government gave the okay for the state to do its own testing of patients who may be infected. He says tests for two residents have been conducted so far and came back negative.

Typically, tissue samples would be sent to the CDC testing sites in Atlanta for further evaluation. However, being able to run the tests at the state lab will generate results in as a little as 24 hours. Lamont says he's hoping the federal government will provide them the tools they need.

Adams says residents should refer to Connecticut state websites for the latest updates and information about the coronavirus.

Mitchell says no one has tested positive for the virus in the state.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the coronavirus is easily spread through person-to-person contact or contact with infected surfaces or objects. Officials say that it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Officials say washing your hands correctly and often will dramatically reduce the risk of exposure. They also say to stop buying masks because they increase the risk of exposure.

Meanwhile, New York state has confirmed its first case of novel coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news conference Monday that a 39-year-old health care worker who recently returned from Iran tested positive for the virus.

Cuomo says the woman flew back to the U.S. last week and used a private car service, not public transportation.

The unidentified woman was tested at a New York City hospital and is now recovering at home.

"The health care worker has manifested some respiratory illnesses, but her condition is mild, so she's at home and she's not even hospitalized, even though she has tested positive for the virus. Her spouse is with her," Cuomo said.

The woman traveled with her husband, who is also a health care worker. He is staying home with her in isolation and is being tested for the virus.

Cuomo says he expects to see more cases throughout the state.

The federal government is prepared to fight the coronavirus. Vice President Mike Pence is calling it an "all hands on deck effort."

Pence says more than 15,000 testing kits are out and that the FDA passed a testing regiment that state and local officals can use.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday there are new screening procedures for the disease. He also tweeted that people who are traveling from high-risk countries will be scanned for the coronavirus upon arrival in the U.S.

There are now two coronavirus-related deaths in the country.

Those traveling for spring break should keep in mind that most travel insurance does not cover epidemics. In the majority of cases, once a virus is known, its presence is no longer an unforeseen event and there's no related coverage. Some companies explicitly state epidemics and pandemics are excluded for canceling a trip.

There are ways to get travel insurance that might cover cancellations due to the coronavirus in some states. They are called cancel for any reason polices. They can be pricey and cost up to 50% more.