The last patient hospitalized in France because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has been cured, French Health Minister Olivier Veran announced on Monday evening.
"There is no longer any patient (of novel coronavirus infection) hospitalized in France. The last patient hospitalized in Lyon is cured. He is no longer infectious and can return to his home," Veran told a press conference.
The minister stressed that the government's policies remain "adaptable and revisable at any moment" so as to prevent the spread of the virus.
The patient was one of the six British nationals (including one child) infected during a stay at the Alpine ski resort Contamines-Montjoie at the end of January.
So far France has registered 12 cases of infection, among which 11 have recovered. An 80-year-old Chinese tourist died on Feb.14.
In addition, more than 350 people have been quarantined since their repatriation from Wuhan, China. At present only the last batch, 28 people in total, remain quarantined at a holiday center in Calvados in western France.
Earlier in the day, the French authorities said there is no need to close the country's border nor impose control at the frontiers with Italy, where the virus has killed seven and many villages in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto have been locked down.
Meanwhile, the government pledged to reinforce precaution measures to contain an eventual virus outbreak. The Ministry of National Education has asked students who had spent holidays in China, Singapore, South Korea, and also in Italy's Lombardy and Veneto to stay at home for two weeks.
