Coronavirus reaches Africa: First case confirmed in Egypt

(Patria) – COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has reached the African continent with the first case recorded in Egypt.

The first infected patient, who is now in hospital quarantine, is a foreign national who did not show symptoms, but was identified based on travel procedures.

The number of infection cases worldwide has exceeded 67,000, with 44 cases in Europe.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have issued an order that everyone returning to Beijing must first spend 14 days in quarantine, otherwise they will be punished.

COVID-19 has not yet reached its peak.

In the Chinese province of Hubei, diagnosis is performed via chest X-ray, which is considered sufficient – instead of a nucleic acid laboratory test. Most cases appear to originate from December, when the infection began.

Medical workers are particularly at risk; more than 1,700 medical workers have been infected in China, and 6 have lost their battle with the virus.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, explains that efforts are being made to further determine how to establish clinical diagnoses so as not to confuse respiratory illnesses, including the flu, with the coronavirus.

The WHO also states that they have not provided any advice regarding the organization of the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year, as it is 'not the WHO's role'.

At the same time, one of the senior members of the International Olympic Committee commented on Friday that the event will not be canceled despite the risk.