Coronavirus reaches Europe as France confirms 3 cases
https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-reaches-europe-as-france-confirms-3-cases/a-52145333
Coronavirus reaches Europe as France confirms 3 cases
French officials on Friday confirmed three cases of the new coronavirus from China, marking the first time the deadly virus was detected in Europe.
Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said two of the infected individuals had recently traveled to China and were placed in isolation. The third person is a close relative of one of the other two.
Buzyn added that more cases were likely to be discovered.
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France's announcement came as more than a dozen countries around the world reported infections. Nepal also confirmed a case on Friday the first in a South Asian country.
Australia reported its first four cases Saturday. Authorities in Victoria state have followed "strict protocols, including isolating the affected person," said Professor Brendan Murphy, Australia's chief medical officer. He added that there may be more cases in Australia.
Malaysia, meanwhile, said three Chinese nationals, on holiday from Wuhan and who had passed through Singapore, were found to have the virus. They are now in a stable condition in an isolation ward at a public hospital.
As of early Saturday, at least 41 fatalities have been reported in China. A further 237 patients are in serious condition. Officials have placed a lockdown on at least 18 cities covering more than 56 million inhabitants in an attempt to contain the virus' spread. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally.
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