MOULTRIE, Ga. — Coronavirus may not be active in Colquitt County — or anywhere in Georgia for that matter — but there are still some worries, according to the Southwest Georgia Public Health District.

The SGPHD is currently monitoring patients coming back in from China and no one in Colquitt County has tested positive for coronavirus as of Feb. 17. It’s a matter of being aware at this point, Public Information Officer Courtney Sheeley said.

“If they are around someone that has returned from China or if they have been in that area and they start feeling ill then they need to call their healthcare provider for instructions on what to do,” she said.

Worldwide, coronavirus has 73,424 cases and is responsible for 1,873 deaths, most of which are in China. In the U.S., 15 people tested positive for it, 14 of whom were found on the Diamond Princess cruise ship outside of Japan.

No one in the country has died, but an American citizen died in China earlier this year.

Sheeley said Colquitt County residents should be more worried about flu season, which is still in full effect. According to her and a CNBC report, the flu has already caused more than 10,000 deaths nationwide.

Public health epidemiologist Dr. Jacqueline Jenkins said the flu maps for Colquitt County and Southwest Georgia are still very widespread.

“We’ve had over 40 influenza deaths in Georgia this year, so that is a bigger threat,” Jenkins said. “Flu is ongoing and still very serious.”

Like coronavirus, flu is transmitted through respiratory droplets usually created through coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing.

Everyone should practice preventative techniques, but it’s more dire to do so with those between ages 0-2, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, Jenkins said.

“They’re at a greater risk for severe complications with the flu if they happen to get it,” she said.

These preventative techniques include hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, discarding used tissues into the trash and keeping the ill home — kids included. It’s all about good hand and respiratory hygiene.

She also advised getting the flu vaccine as one of the best lines of defense.

“In the Colquitt County Health Department, we still have the flu vaccine. Anybody can go up to the health department and get that,” Jenkins said. “If you’re sick with the flu please see your healthcare provider and they can put you on treatment if necessary.”