Greece reports 10th coronavirus case, shuts schools in 3 areas

Greece reported its tenth case of coronavirus on Thursday, a person related to an individual who recently travelled to Israel and Egypt, health authorities said.

Separately, health authorities dismissed media reports that a Swiss-owned cruise ship carrying 2,570 passengers and bound for the island of Corfu in western Greece, had been placed under quarantine due to coronavirus fears.

"There has been no guidance from Greek health authorities on any quarantine," a health ministry spokesman said. "Infectious disease specialists have told us there is no such issue."

The ship owner, MSC Cruises, also dismissed the media reports that the MSC Opera cruise ship had been quarantined, saying it had received a green light from Greek health authorities to continue its journey to Corfu.

The ship was making an 11-day Mediterranean cruise, according to the company's website.

On Wednesday Greece ordered the closure of schools and banned public gatherings in three districts in the west of the country from Thursday as a precaution after a person from the region tested positive for coronavirus, authorities said.

That person had recently returned from a religious pilgrimage to Israel and Egypt.

The ban was in effect for 48 hours and subject to review, authorities said.



REUTERS