Mali records first cases of coronavirus

The Health Ministry of Mali has recorded its first coronavirus cases after two persons tested positive for the respiratory illness on Wednesday.

Both cases were Malian national, who recently returned home from France on 12 and 16 March, according to the BBC.

The government's statement revealed that the patients are a 49-year-old woman from the capital Bamako and a 62-year-old man living in the western city of Kayes.

The statement added that both cases are currently being taken care of by health authorities.

As of March 25, the pandemic has spread to at least 181 countries of the world with 19,769 deaths and 445,815 cases recorded.

Africa has confirmed at least 2,382 cases with 64 deaths.