First 2 coronavirus cases confirmed in Venezuela

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Venezuelan Vice President said on Friday morning that two people in Venezuela tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first cases in the South American country to be confirmed.

Delcy Rodriguez said in a press conference that the patients are two Venezuelan citizens who came from an Iberia flight 6673 on March 5 and 8.

She asked other passengers who were on that flight to put themselves under preventive quarantine.

Rodriguez also announced the suspension of school classes starting on Monday.

Health workers in Venezuela have expressed their concern about the Venezuelan health system being unprepared to detect or contain the virus.

Neighboring countries Colombia and Brazil have already confirmed various cases of the virus.