MT. VERNON — About 100 people across the country have been confirmed to have contracted the novel Coronavirus in the U.S. as of Thursday according to the C.D.C. Of those cases, they have been reported in 13 states and 10 people have died. But that is just a fraction of the numbers across the globe.

The Infection Control Nurse at Crossroads Community Hospital, Mike Bierman, says while there is still a lot to learn about the new virus, right now what is known is that it is very similar to the flu.

As of Thursday, Bierman says no one in the Mt. Vernon area has been confirmed to have the Coronavirus, but with the mobility of society, that doesn’t mean we are out of the woods. He says the key is to be prepared, and don’t be panicked.

You can hear more from Bierman about what you need to know about the Coronavirus on the Southern Illinois Insider this Sunday at 11 a.m. on AM 940, 96.1 and 96.5 FM, and also on 94.1 FM, WMIX.