Panama confirms first death from coronavirus

By Lokman Ilhan and Muhammed Emin Canik

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Panama confirmed its first death from the novel coronavirus Tuesday, the first in Central America.

The number of people diagnosed with the virus his risen to eight, Health Minister Rosario Turner said at a press conference in Panama City.

"All fairs, concerts and sports competitions in northern Panama have been stopped and all educational activities in the region have been suspended until April 7,” Turner said.

Meanwhile, Bolivia has confirmed the country’s first two cases of the coronavirus, according to local media.

The two women, aged 60 and 64, recently travelled to Italy, Health Minister Anibal Cruz said at a press conference, adding they have been quarantined.

Also, Australia imposed a travel ban on arrivals from Italy to curb the spread of the coronavirus following similar bans on travelers from China, Iran and South Korea, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a press conference.

Morrison also announced that three people had died from the coronavirus and the number of coronavirus cases had risen to 116.

The novel coronavirus, officially known also COVID-19, was first detected last December in Wuhan, China.

The global death toll from the virus is now over 4,260, with more than 118,100 confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.

The virus has spread to six continents and more than 100 countries.