Paris (AFP)

The latest tests have not revealed any new cases of Chinese coronavirus contamination in France and their number still stands at three, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

"We still have three confirmed cases, there is no other case in France," said number 2 of the ministry, Director General of Health Jérôme Salomon, during a now daily press conference on the topic.

"The tests that could have taken place on Saturday, Sunday or today (Monday) are all negative," he continued.

Sunday evening, the Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn had reported six suspected cases which were under study.

The three proven cases "are still under medical supervision, there is no major concern about their condition", according to Professor Salomon.

"The evolution must be followed closely, the clinicians are attentive to a regular management of their situation", he continued, indicating that their exit would occur when we are "certain that there is has more risk of transmission ".

These three cases are a 48 year old man hospitalized in Bordeaux, and a 31 year old man and a 30 year old woman hospitalized in Paris. The Bordeaux patient is in a "stable and reassuring" state, had said a little earlier the medical team of the Bordeaux University Hospital.

The people with whom they have been in contact are followed up.

In addition, the air repatriation of the French from Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, which France will organize mid-week could also concern nationals of other European countries, said Professor Salomon.

"There are European cooperation mechanisms. Discussions are taking place between the different European countries since we can activate a European mutual assistance mechanism, to have a concerted action," he said in response to a question.

On their return to France, these returnees will be directed to "a health establishment for people who will be sick and a reception and accommodation establishment for people who are not sick but will need reinforced follow-up for 14 days ", according to Professor Salomon.

This establishment is "under selection". The persons concerned must stay there for 14 days, the maximum estimated duration of incubation of the disease, to ensure that they have not been infected with the virus.

© 2020 AFP