coronavirus reported in Algeria as the outbreak spreads across MENA region

The first ever confirmed case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Algeria, authorities announced on,
Tuesday, stating that the deadly outbreak spreads across the Middle East and North African region.
An Italian man who entered the country on February 17 was diagnosed with the virus, also known as COVID-19, and has been quarantined, according to the country's health minister.
No further information was provided, however the ministry warned Algerians to be cautious with content shared online.
Cases in the region have spiked this week with Iran announcing more than 15 confirmed deaths due to the virus, more than in any country other than China.
In the meantime, the, Iranian government has pledged greater transparency after a lawmaker alleged that the clerical regime was playing down the outbreak and that the toll could be as high as 50.
The Iran's deputy health minister and another member of parliament also confirmed a positive diagnosis for the novel coronavirus,
The Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi coughed occasionally and appeared to be sweating when he appeared in Tehran at a government press conference on Monday to dispel claims of a high death toll from the virus.
Lawmaker Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani had alleged that 50 people had died from the virus in the Shia holy city of Qom alone - a figure far above the official number of nine at the time of his statement.
Iran becomes epicenter of coronavirus in the Middle East, here's how Arab countries are preparing
A number of countries in the Middle East region have grounded flights and shuttered their borders with the Islamic Republic in recent days. Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman all reported their first cases of the virus this week.
On Tuesday, the Lebanese government banned nationals from taking part in pilgrimages to Iran and other Middle East countries after a citizen tested positive upon return from the Islamic Republic.
Lebanese Muslims regularly fly to Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia for religious trips, including Mecca for Haj or Umrah. Shia Muslims also regularly travel to Iran's holy city of Qom for pilgrimage.
Turkey said it had shut its borders with Iran on Sunday, but Turkish Airlines continues to operate flights from Tehran to Istanbul restricted to Turkish passengers only.
News sources The New Arab News