Kazakhstan reports first two cases of coronavirus

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health announced the first two cases of coronavirus infection in the country, Report informs, citing Interfax.

Health Minister Yelzhan Birtanov said that two people who returned from Germany on March 9 and 12 contracted the virus.

According to him, both are isolated in the infectious diseases hospital in Almaty; one of them was previously under home quarantine. They do not have any clinical symptoms of SARS, and they feel well. They have contacted 85 people, including those who were aboard the same plane. Twelve remain in quarantine.

Earlier, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev banned civil servants from traveling abroad and attending mass events. He assured that there are enough food and medicine stocks in the country, and there is no need to arrange a rush demand. The President promised to help those who risk losing their jobs and are forced to stay at home with their children. Since March 16, the country has announced an extraordinary vacation in schools. On March 8, Kazakhstan restricted entry to citizens of South Korea, China, and Iran.