Brazilian soccer player in China tests positive

A Brazilian soccer player for a Chinese club has been confirmed with the novel coronavirus, according to health authorities in Guangdong province.

The player, 30, whose name was withheld, is the server for Meizhou Hakka Club in the Chinese second-tier league, responsible for the "drop" or kickoff. He was tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, after returning from Bangkok, Thailand, along with his team, via Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the authorities said.

The player was sent to Guangzhou No 8 People's Hospital for treatment. All his teammates, who just finished pre-season training in Bangkok, are under medical observation in Meizhou, Guangdong province.

The infected player is the first in the Chinese professional soccer league to catch the coronavirus. He was among five new confirmed cases imported from abroad to Guangdong on Tuesday — three in Guangzhou and two in Shenzhen.

As of Tuesday, Guangdong had confirmed 19 imported cases of coronavirus infection, according to the Guangdong Health Commission.