Türkiye confirms first case of novel coronavirus

The Turkish Ministry of Health announced on March 11 that the first case of the new coronavirus had been confirmed in a sick man who had recently returned from Europe.

The Turkish Health Minister did not provide further details about the COVID-19 patient or which European country he had traveled to.

Fahrettin Koca said that the sick person has been placed in quarantine, and family members and a number of other citizens who had close contact with him have also been placed in quarantine.

"Initial diagnoses have been made and if there has been any transmission of the virus, it is very limited," Mr. Koca told the state-run Anadolu Agency.

The Turkish Health Minister added, "The coronavirus is not stronger than the measures we will take."

Turkey has not yet announced any cases of coronavirus, although there has always been a possibility that the virus could be present in the country or transmitted at some point in time.

Turkish airports have been screening all foreign travelers for some time. Flights to South Korea, China and Italy have been canceled, and land borders with Iraq and Iran have also been closed.

Mr. Koca said on Wednesday that the leave of hospital staff, doctors and nurses, has also been canceled.

Türkiye has a population of about 83 million and is also home to the largest refugee population in the world, with nearly five million refugees, mostly Syrians, residing in the country.

Source: Radio Farda