NORFOLK - Northeast Nebraska leaders are taking action to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Local elected officials and healthcare providers held a news conference in Norfolk Monday morning to update the public.

Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning said the new changes are part of an effort to mitigate the exposure of at-risk populations to the virus.

"The more we can slow the spread and limit exposure to these populations, and therefore keep our medical providers from being inundated, the better outcomes for everyone."

Moenning says all large events like the city's Easter prayer breakfast are canceled, all city library programming is canceled and the building is closed, and new policies are being instituted to protect first responders and healthcare professionals.

Moenning compared the response to this health crisis to last year's floods.

"A strong sense of neighbor helping neighbor throughout the city, we pulled through a tragedy of historic proportions largely unscathed. Today, this threat, one of a much different form and a more nebulous form, will require similar resolve, planning, and citizen and neighbor cooperation."

There are currently no confirmed cases in Norfolk or Madison County.

There have been 18 positive cases statewide, including a community spread case in Omaha.