Togo confirms first case of coronavirus

Togo's Prime Minister Komi Selom Klassou announced on Friday that the first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the West African country.

Klassou made the announcement during a press conference he hosted at the Prime Minister's Office in the presence of Fatoumata Binta Tidiane, the resident representative of the World Health Organization, and Moustafa Mijiyawa, Togo's minister of health and public hygiene.

"We have registered our first confirmed case of the coronavirus. The patient is a 42-year-old female who recently traveled to Benin, France, Germany and Turkey and who showed signs related to the symptoms of the disease, including fever, sore throat and headache," Klassou said.

The prime minister added that the patient was immediately placed in isolation at an infectious disease treatment center for treatment. He also said that the case should not cause any major concern and all the people who have been in contact with the patient have been identified and quarantined in accordance with the international health regulations.

"I call on everyone to calm down and not to panic. It is also important for everyone to strictly observe the recommended prevention measures," Klassou said in a statement that was shared on the Prime Minister's official website.