Iraqi suspected of coronavirus tests negative

BAGHDAD

An Iraqi student quarantined for suspected coronavirus has tested negative for the virus, according to health authorities on Sunday.

"Tests proved that the suspected case was not carrying the virus," the Health Directorate in the southern Dhi Qar province said in a statement.

A medical source said Saturday the student was quarantined for further tests after returning from the Iranian city of Qom.

On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities called on its nationals not to travel to neighboring Iran, where eight coronavirus deaths were reported.

Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., the UK, Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.

Many countries, including Turkey, have evacuated their citizens from the city of Wuhan – the epicenter of the virus – and other affected areas of China, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.

* Bassel Ibrahim contributed to this report from Ankara