First coronavirus case reported in Southern Cyprus

By Muhammet İkbal Arslan

LEFKOSA (AA) - The first coronavirus case has been reported in Greek Cypriot sector, according to local media.

Out of 42 people tested for coronavirus, two have tested positive, according to reports, adding that the Greek Cypriot health minister will soon speak on the issue.

The coronavirus has spread to over 90 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There are apparently as yet no cases of coronavirus in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), making the Greek Cypriot case the first on the divided Mediterranean island.

Last week, over fear of the virus, Greek Cypriots closed some of the border gates between the two countries.

The global death toll from the virus is around 3,800, with some 110,000 confirmed cases since COVID-19 emerged in China in December, the UN health body said.

As part of the efforts to contain the outbreak, some governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with many countries including China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

After declaring the outbreak an international health emergency in January, the WHO last month updated the global risk level to very high.

*Writing by Firdevs Bulut