Lab investigations confirmed four cases of infection with COVID-19 of the 48 samples taken from patients suspected of being infected. The number of confirmed cases thus rose to 12. The health authorities said three cases are cases of import and one is a local transmission case, IPN reports.

After the March 14 meeting of the Single Command Center for managing the crisis generated by COVID-19, Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu said the three cases were imported from Italy, the UK and France. The fourth case is a local one. No other details about the patients were provided.

The minister called on the population to show responsibility and to isolate themselves at home if they returned from countries affected by COVID-19. Two children suspected of catching the virus after being in close contact with their grandmother who returned from Italy are waiting for the test results at the Municipal Children’s Infectious Diseases Hospital.

In the same press briefing, Prime Minister Ion Chicu said the Moldovan man who was in quarantine for a long period of time on the cruise ship in Japan returned home. He tested negative for COVID-19, but continues to be under supervision.

The official said air traffic could be fully suspended, depending on the developments. He reminded of the decision to suspend religious events.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. The authorities in Moldova issued a red alert on March 13 given the confirmed danger of a possible public health emergency.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 133,800 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed worldwide in the period between December 31, 2019 and March 12, 2020. The death toll rose to 4,967.