GRANADA HILLS, Calif. – Flu-like symptoms are bringing tons of patients to urgent cares with fears of the coronavirus in the back of their mind. Health officials say the symptoms might be similar, but there is a difference.

Lately, Gabriella Rossi hasn’t been feeling well.

“The last couple of days my throat’s been kind of sore, headache and I just want to make sure everything is okay,” Rossi said.

Normally, these symptoms wouldn’t be a big deal for her, but hearing reports of patients contracting the new coronavirus made her think twice about her symptoms.

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“I really never get sick. But this time, it kind of scared me. I want to nip it in the bud. I want to make sure it’s not the coronavirus,” Rossi said.

Rossi isn’t alone in feeling this way. Confirmed and false reports of the new coronavirus contractions have created a panic throughout L.A. County. Urgent cares like this American Family Care urgent care in Granada Hills said they are seeing more patients like Rossi who fear their symptoms might be linked to the coronavirus.

However, Lina Grymchan a physician assistant there said they have yet to come across a patient with the coronavirus.

“We are looking for anybody who had been traveling to China, has been in close contact with someone who traveled to China within 14 days and has symptoms such as lower respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing and high fevers,” Grymchan said.

If someone experiences those symptoms along with recent travel, Grymchan said it’s best to call an urgent care or hospital before coming in to prevent spreading any illness. But today, Rossi couldn’t be happier to be diagnosed with a simple respiratory infection.

“I’m so happy. But, I knew it. I knew it wasn’t anything more than that,” Rossi said.

With coronavirus worries set aside, Rossi is ready to get her health back on track. While, Grymchan continues to help patients better understand their symptoms.

To protect yourself against the coronavirus, the World Health Organization recommends the public to wash their hands frequently with an alcohol-based soap or rub, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth and to keep about a three foot distance from others.