Coronavirus claims Chinese life in Paris, first victim outside Asia

An 80-year-old Chinese tourist became the first person to die of coronavirus or Covid-19 outside Asia, in Paris on Saturday.

French health minister, Agnès Buzyn, on Saturday confirmed the death, the first in Europe as a result of the deadly virus that has affected more than 66,000 people across the world and claimed the lives of around 1,500 in China.

The tourist was being treated for lung infection at Bichat hospital in Paris for the past three weeks.

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His daughter is also being treated at the hospital, but her health is not a cause of concern, and should be able to leave the hospital soon, minister Buzyn said according to DW news.

France has 11 cases of coronavirus-affected patients. Only three coronavirus deaths had been recorded earlier outside China — from Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.

Passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore are being screened for possible exposure to the respiratory virus