France announces first death of a coronavirus patient in Europe
PARIS —
France’s health minister announced the first coronavirus death in Europe on Saturday.
Agnes Buzyn said, “I was informed last night of the death of an 80-year-old patient who had been hospitalized … since Jan. 25.”
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The patient, a Chinese tourist from the province of Hubei, had a lung infection caused by the COVID-19 virus. He arrived in France on Jan. 16, then was hospitalized on Jan. 25 under strict isolation measures. His condition deteriorated rapidly, French officials said.
His daughter was also hospitalized but authorities said she is expected to recover.
Europe has 46 cases of the virus that first emerged in central China in December. Nine European nations have reported cases, with Germany having the most at 16.
The virus has infected more than 67,000 people globally and has killed at least 1,527, the vast majority in China. The World Health Organization has called the virus a threat to global health.
Chinese authorities have placed some 60 million people under a strict lockdown, built emergency hospitals and instituted controls across the country to fight the spread of the virus. Restaurants, cinemas and other businesses have been closed nationwide and sports and cultural events have been canceled to prevent crowds from gathering.