Swiss soldiers to be confined to bases after virus case

The Swiss army said Tuesday that all soldiers would be confined to the country's military installations after a case of the new coronavirus was discovered in their ranks.

A man tested positive for COVID-19 Monday as he was preparing to carry out a required military refresher course, the Swiss armed forces said in a statement.

In Switzerland, which has detected more than 35 cases since the virus first emerged in the country a week ago, the army is organised as a militia, with conscripts carrying out a short initial training and then called back in for several weeks of training each year.

During the health screening required before the course, the infected man revealed that he had recently returned from Milan in northern Italy, the statement said.

Italy is the European country hardest hit by the outbreak, it said, adding: "He is in stable condition."