Lebanon confirms the first case of "Corona" and is suspected in two other cases

The Lebanese Minister of Health, Hamad Hassan, said that Lebanon confirmed yesterday the first infection with the Coronavirus, and is following two other possible cases, after verifying the case of a 45-year-old woman who arrived from Iran the day before yesterday.

The minister stated in a press conference that the injured woman was transferred directly from a plane coming from the Iranian city of Qom, yesterday, to quarantine, after she showed symptoms of the disease.

He added that she was isolated in the Rafic Hariri Hospital in Beirut, and that two other people who were on the next flight from Qom, suspected of carrying the virus, would be transferred to the hospital for quarantine as well. He pointed out that «the case was diagnosed in less than 12 hours, and this is positive, and that there is no need to declare a state of emergency until the time», stressing «not to cause cases of panic, because it is not necessary».

The Minister of Health pointed out that "the committee is following events first-hand, and we will not take any action to stop flights unless after consulting the prime minister and the national committee in charge, this measure is premature." He noted that «the death rate due to the virus in the world is 2.3%, and the prevalence rate is fast».

The Minister of Health called on citizens to "not mix with those with respiratory diseases present in the home quarantine, pay attention to hygiene, frequent washing of hands, and following the etiquette of coughing."

The minister asked «all arrivals from Iran to adhere to the quarantine for 14 days since their arrival».

He declared that "treatment is preventive, and there is no other treatment in the world." He pointed out that "communication is made with all the passengers who were on the plane", pointing to following up on developments.

A source at Rafic Hariri International Airport said that the Mahan Air plane arrived yesterday with 125 passengers. The Iranian authorities said that the spread of the Corona virus in Iran, which has so far killed four people, started in the city of Qom.

- The Lebanese Minister of Health stressed that there is no need to declare a state of emergency.