Coronavirus carrier returns to Hangzhou

A Chinese male who arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, via Beijing on Thursday from Paris, France, showed no symptoms, such as fever or cough, but he tested positive for the novel coronavirus, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The man, concerned about his health because the infection is spreading rapidly in France, requested a nose and throat swab test. France has reported 1,412 cases and 30 deaths so far.

He was carrying the virus but because of the lack of symptoms was not classified as a confirmed or suspected case of pneumonia, or COVID-19, according to the Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He is being quarantined for 14 days.

Hangzhou had reported no new confirmed COVID-19 cases for 19 consecutive days as of Tuesday.