Niger confirms first case of coronavirus

Niger confirmed its first case of the coronavirus infection on Thursday, a 36-year-old Nigerian man who had recently traveled to Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, the country's health minister said in a statement.

The patient is now being isolated at a hospital and is in stable condition.

On the same day, the government also announced all classes at schools will be suspended starting next Monday.

On March 17, Nigerian President Mahamadou Issoufou said activities involving above 50 people will be prohibited.

The coronavirus has affected 36 countries in Africa with South Africa and Egypt among the hardest hit.