The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, February 26 confirmed a second coronavirus (COVID19) case in Algeria, after reports that tests indicate an Italian adult who arrived in the country on February 17 has tested positive.

This follows the first case of the outbreak that was confirmed in Egypt, on February 14.

According to a statement by the UN health agency, the Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform of Algeria has reported the country’s first case of COVID-19.

This follows Africa’s first COVID-19 case which was reported earlier this month in Egypt. Algeria is one of the 47 countries in the WHO African region.

"This is the first case in the WHO African region,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"The window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for coronavirus disease is closing. All countries must ramp up their preparedness activities.”

Algeria is one of 13 countries, which the WHO has identified as a top priority for preparedness measures due to their direct links or high volume of travel to China.

The WHO is preparing to deploy a team of experts to Algeria to support health authorities.

Many countries in Africa are stepping up their preparedness to detect and cope with COVID-19 importations, according to a report titled "Preparedness and vulnerability of African countries against importations of COVID-19,” published by The Lancet, a medical journal.