Syria Reports First Case Of Coronavirus
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Mar 23, 2020
The Syrian government has announced the first case of the novel coronavirus in the war-torn country, days after starting measures to stem the spread of the pandemic.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Health minister Nizar Yaziji late Sunday said authorities had recorded "a first case of the coronavirus in Syria in a person coming from abroad,ÔÇØ without specifying the country.
READ ALSO: Katsina School Attack: Fresh details emerge from Negotiations With Abductors | READ DETAILS
"The appropriate measures have been taken to deal withÔÇØ the female patient aged around 20, state news agency SANA reported him as telling journalists.
READ ALSO: LESSONS FROM APPEAL COURT VERDICT ON ABIA GUBER ELECTION - By Chuks Nwankwo
The Damascus authorities have over the past week increasingly taken measures to prevent a spread of the deadly virus.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
They have ordered schools, universities, restaurants, cinemas and events halls to close, and suspended prayer gatherings.
READ ALSO: H0T! End fiscal rascality, Obaseki replies FG | READ DETAILS
They have also stopped work or downsized staff in government institutions, and transport between provinces is to come to a halt from Tuesday.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
Last week, Damascus postponed parliamentary polls scheduled for next month until further notice.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Omah Lay And Tems Released By Ugandan Authorities
After nine years of a war that has killed more than 380,000 people and ravaged the country's infrastructure, fears are high that a COVID-19 outbreak in the country would have devastating consequences, especially in areas outside regime control.
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
These include the last major rebel bastion of Idlib in the northwest, and the Kurdish-held northeast.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
A World Health Organization spokesman earlier this month warned that Syria's "fragile health systems may not have the capacity to detect and respondÔÇØ to what is now a pandemic.
READ ALSO: Ikpeazu Renames Faulks Road in Aba after Late Sam Mbakwe
AFP
Related Stories
WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi