Brazil: Government confirms first COVID-19 case February 26 /update 2

Brazilian government confirms first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) February 26; further spread of the virus expected over the near term
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Brazil: Over 3 million cases and 100,000 COVID-19 related deaths confirmed as of August 8 /update 32
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Brazil: Brazil records highest daily number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities July 29 /update 30
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Brazil: Over a million COVID-19 cases confirmed as of June 19 /update 26
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Brazil: Shopping malls in Sao Paulo to reopen from June 1 /update 24
Brazil: Government issues 30-day extension for border closures May 22 /update 23
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Brazil: Over 20,000 COVID-19 deaths confirmed as of May 22 /update 21
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Brazil: Authorities in Rio de Janeiro announce lockdown in several areas May 13 /update 19
Brazil: Over 180,000 cases of COVID-19 confirmed as of May 13 /update 18
Brazil: Quarantine measures in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro extended through May 31 /update 17
Brazil: Local authorities impose lockdown measures in São Luís and Fortaleza May 5 /update 16
Brazil: COVID-19 case numbers rise to nearly 72,000 April 28 /update 15
Brazil: Case numbers rise to nearly 49,500 April 23 /update 14
Brazil: Quarantine in São Paulo extended through May 10 /update 13
Brazil: Hundreds gather in major cities nationwide to denounce COVID-19 lockdown measures April 18 /update 12
Brazil: Over 1000 COVID-19-related deaths reported April 11 /update 11
Brazil: Quarantine extended in São Paulo through April 22 /update 10
Brazil: Over 8000 COVID-19 cases reported April 3 /update 9
Brazil: Government extends border closure with Venezuela March 31 /update 8
Brazil: Government confirms 2201 COVID-19 cases March 24 /update 7
Brazil: São Paulo state to shut down for 14 days from March 24 over COVID-19 concerns /update 6
Brazil: Authorities expand land border closures due to COVID-19 March 19 /update 5
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Brazil: Entry restrictions extended for arrivals from nine countries amid COVID-19 outbreak February 24 /update 1
Brazil: Coronavirus quarantine measures expanded February 21
Event
On Wednesday, February 26, Brazilian government officials confirmed the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The patient recently returned from northern Italy and is being treated in a hospital in São Paulo.
Brazilian authorities announced on Monday, February 24, that arrivals from nine additional countries will now undergo health checks upon their arrival to the country. This now includes travelers from Italy, France, Germany, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, and United Arab Emirates. Travelers coming from these countries that show symptoms of the virus will be subject to medical tests and potentially placed under quarantine. The policy is therefore now in effect for 16 countries.
On Friday, February 21, the Health Ministry issued the same restrictions for travelers from China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments
In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran, who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.
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