Forty seven-nation Africa has 2,650 confirmed coronavirus cases, 49 deaths - WHO chief Tedros

FILE PHOTO: Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a news conference on the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-2019), in Geneva, Switzerland, February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

LONDON (Reuters) - Coronavirus has now spread to dozens of the 47 countries of the WHO Africa region, with 2,650 infected and 49 dead, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.

The WHO stands ready to support all countries in the fight against the virus, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said on Twitter.

Countries with weaker health systems must act aggressively to contain spread among early cases and prevent community transmission, he said.

(This story corrects headline and first paragraph to make clear Tedros was referring to the 47 countries in the WHO Africa region, not the whole continent.)

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Giles Elgood and Frances Kerry)