Jan 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka health officials have confirmed that a Chinese woman admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) has contracted the new coronavirus.

The 43-year-old woman, who has arrived from the Hubei Province in China, has reportedly been admitted to the IDH today in serious condition.

This is the first time the new coronavirus infection has been reported in Sri Lanka.

Four people including three Chinese visitors and a Sri Lankan arrived from China admitted to IDH last week with symptoms of coronavirus infection were found to be negative for the virus.