Algeria, Switzerland confirms first cases of coronavirus as number of deaths in Italy rises to 11

Bahrain reports six more cases

Algeria has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, an Italian man who arrived in the country on February 17, state television reported making the country the 2nd after Egypt in Africa to confirmed the China's virus.

The man has been put into quarantine, state television said, citing the health minister.

In Europe, a 70-year-old man tested positive for the coronavirus in Switzerland's southern canton of Ticino, on the border with Italy, Swiss health authorities said, confirming their country's first case.

"The infected person was in Italy about ten days ago and participated in an event near Milan," the Swiss health ministry said in a statement.

People he had been in contact with were currently being identified and put in quarantine for 14 days.

Also, at least 11 people have died as the coronavirus continues to spread in Italy's northern region, according to the head of the country's Civil Protection Department, Angelo Borrelli.

With at least 322 cases, Italy is the worst-hit European country and there are fears the outbreak could affect its neighbours.

In Spain, an Italian doctor at a hotel in Tenerife was confirmed to have the virus - that hotel is now on lockdown. 

And in the UK, three schools have closed after students returned from skiing trips.

The coronavirus has been spreading fast with new cases reported in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, with more deaths in Italy.

The virus has now infected more than 80,000 globally, killing at least 2,700.

In the Arab region, Bahrain has identified six more new cases of coronavirus all coming from Iran, bringing the total number in the kingdom to 23, the state news agency BNA reported, citing the health ministry.

Iran is currently the  worst hit Virus in the region as the country has recorded up to 15 death toll with over  hundred confirmed cases.