Brazil on Wednesday confirmed the first case of a fast-spreading new coronavirus in Latin America, after a Sao Paulo hospital flagged the possible infection of a 61-year-old man who recently visited Italy.

Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta told journalists at a news conference that the government has already taken measures to tackle the epidemic prior to its arrival in Brazil, Reuters reports.

The official also said that the country’s authorities are tracking 20 suspected cases of the coronavirus.

The ministry first voiced their suspicions about a potential coronavirus case on Tuesday. The man’s test results were sent for a repeat verification.

Source: RT