The 2019 strain of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread across the world, affecting three new countries recently: Mexico, Netherlands, and Nigeria.
Mexico
The Mexico Health Ministry has announced its first case of the coronavirus disease on Friday, February 28 after a young man tested positive for the deadly virus according to a report from AFP.
“The individual is in stable condition,” said Hugo Lopez-Gatell, a senior ministry official said.
“He has a mild, mild illness,” with symptoms “similar to that of a cold. He is a young individual and so he is at very low risk,” the official added.
The patient and his family members have been isolated in the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases.
RELATED STORY: Coronavirus spreads to Greece, Switzerland, Brazil
Another man coming from Sinaloa who came in contact with the first case has been under observation by health authorities.
Brazil is the first Latin-American country to report its first coronavirus case.
83,670 people have been infected and killed 2,865 around the world. Most of the victims and patients came from mainland China.
Netherlands
The Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Thursday, February 27 from a patient who reportedly travelled to Northern Italy where a virus epidemic is taking place.
“All those who have been in “close contact” with the person involved have been checked out and the patient placed in isolation,” the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said in a statement.
Nigeria
The Nigerian Health Ministry has confirmed that an Italian man who traveled to Lagos became the first confirmed case of the deadly virus.
The man who works in Nigeria said he came back from Milan before he was diagnosed on February 25.
“The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos,” the statement said.
READ ON: Coronavirus COVID-19 risk increased to ‘very high’ but containment still possible: WHO
“We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria,” the ministry added.
Health officials also urge citizens to not spread false information.
“Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic,” the statement added.
The Nigerian government assured the public that they are doing their best to contain the virus and prevent an outbreak.
