"Unfortunately, today (19 March), at 10:30 pm [another hour in Lisbon], we received the result of the first positive case of the Covid-19 test", says the statement, signed by the Minister of Health, Arlindo do Rosário.

The document adds that the English citizen arrived on the island of Boa Vista on March 9 and after seven days "started a respiratory condition, with cough and fever".

“The patient is, at the time of this release, clinically stable and receiving all the necessary care, in order to avoid further contagions and promote his full recovery”, reads.

Another five suspected cases, on the islands of Santiago, Sal and Santo Antão "gave negative results", according to the Ministry of Health.

“In these circumstances, the Government of Cape Verde wants to assure Cape Verdeans that all management measures for this new moment, in which Cape Verde has confirmed a positive case, have been activated and that we count on full compliance by citizens and institutions, to stop the spread of coronavirus in our Islands ”, adds the statement.

In view of the risk of the Covid-19 pandemic, since Thursday, by decision of the Cape Verdean Government, and at least until April 9, air connections from 26 countries, including Portugal and Brazil, are prohibited.