UPDATE - No coronavirus case reported in Turkey

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS OF HEALTH MINISTER

By Sibel Morrow

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish authorities have not yet reported a coronavirus case during screening of travelers from China at airports, the country's health minister said Friday.

In the wake of a deadly viral outbreak which first spread from Wuhan, the capital of central China's Hubei province, travelers are being screened at several airports across the world.

Turkey has also begun scanning passengers traveling from China with thermal cameras at airports.

Speaking at a news conference, Fahrettin Koca confirmed that the cameras were installed at all airports.

“No suspected cases have yet been encountered,” said Koca.

He also spoke about a Chinese national in Turkey who was suspected to have been infected by the coronavirus.

“As you know, a Chinese national who had a complaint of nausea, headache and uneasiness in Istanbul’s Buyuk Cekmece district was isolated from other patients as a precaution on Wednesday night after learning that she came from Wuhan,” he said.

Koca said although the general condition of the patient was good, her case was considered as suspicious due to her travel history.

“We sent her back to China this morning upon her request."

Koca said there is no need to worry as “coronavirus is less contagious than flu-related virus.”

The virus with pneumonia-like symptoms has jostled Chinese authorities with 26 people dead since the first case was reported earlier this month. Hundreds of others have been infected.

Beyond China, the virus has spread to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., Singapore and Vietnam.