Two cases of coronavirus reported in France

By Cindi Cook

PARIS (AA) - The first two confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus have been detected in France, Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said Friday

One has been confirmed in Paris and one in Bordeaux. Both patients are currently in the hospital.

The patients had recently traveled from China, the site of what the World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed an epidemic that has gripped that country with 26 deaths and more than 900 falling sick.

New cases have been reported in South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

As reported by Le Monde, the announcement included particulars on the patient in Bordeaux, a 48-year-old man of Chinese origin who is in isolation at Bordeaux University Hospital.

He initially saw doctors Thursday for a cough and fever, routine symptoms resembling the flu, and was immediately put in isolation after he admitted he just traveled from Wuhan, where the outbreak has been the worst.

Details are not yet available on the patient in Paris.

The WHO said it is actively monitoring the event and are in close communication with counterparts in China.

Thirteen cities have stopped travel by train, bus, plane, and other means of transport until the situation is under control.

The WHO held a meeting on the virus in Geneva on Thursday but did not declare the outbreak an international emergency.