RABAT 

Morocco on Thursday confirmed its second case of COVID-19, the virus that has spread to 79 countries since it surfaced in Wuhan, China last December.

The second person infected with coronavirus is a Moroccan citizen who returned from Italy late Wednesday, the North African country's health ministry announced.

"The infected woman is currently subject to quarantine at a hospital in Casablanca," it said, adding that the hospital will look after the patient according to approved health standards.

The virus has infected over 95,000 people, claiming more than 3,200 lives globally.

The World Health Organization, which declared the outbreak an international health emergency, recently updated the global risk assessment to “very high."

It has also advised the public to wash their hands more than the usual besides delaying or avoiding travel to affected areas.

Common signs of the infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

* Bassel Ibrahim contributed to this report from Ankara