Updated 3/12/20

As coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world, including Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee declared as of today (Thursday) a state of emergency.

The governor's action comes one day after the World Health Organization said COVID-19 had become a global pandemic.

State officials said Tennessee had nine detected cases of COVID.

With the emergency declaration, Tennessee will join an ever-growing number of states to take similar action.

The declaration will also give Tennessee access to additional federal funding to combat the coronavirus. Prior to Thursday's announcement, Tennessee was set to receive $10 million from the federal government to help with the state's response.

Since Tennessee's first case of coronavirus was announced last week, Lee and others have publicly downplayed the issue.

As of Wednesday, Tennessee had completed 68 coronavirus tests at its state lab.