Egypt confirms coronavirus case, the first reported in Africa
- Affected person is a foreigner who has been put in isolation in hospital
- Patient has not shown symptoms and is in stable condition
Egypt confirmed on Friday its first coronavirus case and said the affected person was a foreigner who had been put into isolation in hospital.
The health ministry said in a statement that it had immediately informed the World Health Organisation and had taken all necessary preventive measures. It did not give the nationality of the affected person or any other details.
WHO Egypt said on Twitter the person was carrying the virus, but had not shown any symptoms and was in a stable condition.
The Egypt case would be the first on the African continent. Experts and African leaders have expressed concern that should the virus spread there, it might wreak havoc among less developed countries with fewer health resources.
Additional reporting by Associated Press