THE first suspected case of the novel coronavirus has been registered in Honduras, Sputnik news agency reports.

The patient is a 48-year-old female tourist who had flown in from Los Angeles with a transfer in Honduras. She is reported to have recently vacationed in Taiwan.

The woman showed symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and sneezing, said the report quoting health authorities.

She has been sent to a specialised hospital in Tegucigalpa, where she is now under observation.

A health official said the woman will be isolated if test results after 48 hours confirm the disease. – Bernama, February 19, 2020.