Turkey Confirms Second Coronavirus Case, Shuts Schools

Turkey on Friday confirmed a second coronavirus case and took steps to increase the production of sanitizers after shutting all schools for two weeks from March 16 and banning spectators from sports arenas through next month.

The second person who tested positive for the disease is related to the first victim, who remains in quarantine, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a tweet, as reported by Bloomberg.

Also on Friday, Turkey decided to boost ethyl alcohol output and increase the production of disinfectants by suspending a rule to blend 3% ethanol in gasoline for three months, said Industry Minister Mustafa Varank.

The confirmation of the second infection comes a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with top officials and decided to shut universities for three weeks and suspend official visits. Students will receive lessons remotely during the second week that classrooms are shut.

By Ana Dumbadze