The organization raised its pandemic alert level to phase five late Wednesday afternoon.

The organization already had the alert level set at three when it created this scale back in 2005 when it was monitoring bird flu.

Health officials said you should be aware of this development, but not fearful. If you are already practicing good health habits, such as hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and now it is important to emphasize social distancing.

“If you greet someone with a handshake or a friendly kiss, that should really stop for right now,” said Bill Wharton from Dayton and Montgomery County Health Department.

Public health officials said this phase increase should not shift your focus away from what matters the most, which is your family.

Officials said make sure that everyone within your family knows the basics.