Iraq confirms first case of coronavirus

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq on Monday confirmed the first case of the coronavirus in the country’s Najaf city.

Ridvan Kindi, the head of the Health Department in Najaf city in south of capital Baghdad, said an Iranian student has tested positive for the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.

The student was immediately quarantined and necessary measures were taken, Kindi said.

Earlier on Monday, Iran’s state television announced that the death toll from the virus in the country rose to 12 with 47 confirmed cases.

Turkey on Sunday temporarily closed its border with Iran and halted flights from Iran to prevent the spread of the virus.

The coronavirus has sounded global alarm with China reporting 2,592 deaths from the outbreak on Monday with over 77,000 confirmed cases.

Outside mainland China, the coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.