First COVID-19 Case Reported in Sub-Saharan Africa

Man Returned from Italy... Condition Stable

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has appeared in Nigeria. This marks the first confirmed case in Sub-Saharan Africa, where no cases had been reported until now.

On the 28th (local time), Nigerian health authorities reported a COVID-19 patient. The patient is an Italian citizen who arrived in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, from Milan, Italy, on the 25th.

Nigerian health authorities stated that the patient's condition is "clinically stable" and that "no severe symptoms have been observed."

The New York Times (NYT) explained that despite close ties between Africa and China, no COVID-19 cases had been reported in Africa except for Egypt and Algeria until now.