Chihuahua public health officials on Tuesday announced the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Juárez.

The patient is a 29-year-old man who recently traveled to Europe, including Italy, authorities said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

The patient, who returned to Juárez on March 12, is in isolation at his home and has minor symptoms. It is the first confirmed case in the state of Chihuahua of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The patient is a native of Nuevo Casas Grandes but lives in Juárez, state officials said. He arrived from Europe first to Los Angeles before returning to Juárez.

Chihuahua state coronavirus testing has found only one confirmed case, eight cases turned out to be negative and three are pending review, authorities said.

The presence of a confirmed case in the Chihuahua was expected and the public should not panic, Jesus Enrique Grajeda Herrera, state health secretary, said in a statement.

Mexico is on the brink of reaching 100 coronavirus cases nationwide, which would usher in the second phase of precautions, Mirna Beltran, state director for the prevention and control of illnesses, said.

Chihuahua health officials advised residents to practice social distancing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Large events should be canceled, residents should stay home and avoid unnecessary out-of-town travel.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

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