Italy Reports First Confirmed Case of Novel Coronavirus...Complete Ban on All Flights from China

On the 30th (local time), a suspected COVID-19 case was reported on a cruise ship docked at Civitavecchia Port near Rome, the capital of Italy, causing about 7,000 passengers to be confined on board. The suspected case tested negative for the virus.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) have been reported in Italy for the first time. The Italian government held a countermeasure meeting and announced the suspension of all flights to and from China.

According to foreign media such as CNN, on the 30th (local time), Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated at a press conference, "We have confirmed two cases of novel coronavirus infection in Italy." The Italian National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced that the two confirmed cases are Chinese tourists and their condition is stable. Earlier, a suspected Chinese patient was found on a cruise ship docked at the port of Civitavecchia near Rome, the capital of Italy, which led to 7,000 passengers being confined on board, but virus tests came back negative.

The Italian government declared that it will suspend all flights with China. Prime Minister Conte said, "As far as we know, we will be the first country in the European Union to adopt such preventive measures." The Italian government plans to hold a cabinet meeting soon to discuss additional measures.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government announced that the cumulative number of novel coronavirus infections in the country surged to 9,692 as of midnight on the 31st, with the death toll rising to 213.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.