eSwatini is monitoring its first suspected case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a patient who recently travelled to China, director of health services Dr. Vusi Magagula has said.

"The suspected case is under clinical management in the health facility observing all infection prevention and control standards relevant for a suspected case," Magagula said in a statement.

"The suspected (patient) ... arrived in the country on 6th February through Ngwenya port of entry and has been on the list of people being followed up on arrival according to the ports of entry health screening protocol."

Citing health minister Lizzie Nkosi, the eSwatini Observer reported that results of blood samples taken from the 27-year-old woman were expected back in the country either on Monday or Tuesday.

She was placed in isolation at an unidentified venue after reportedly showing flu-like symptoms which raised fears she might have caught the deadly virus first detected in China last December.

To date, 51 857 laboratory cases of the virus have been confirmed globally. In China, 51 174 cases have been confirmed and 1 666 people have died due to COVID-19.

The death of a third patient outside China has been reported – this being a tourist from the Asian country who was visiting France.

Egypt reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Africa.