Nigeria has confirmed it's first case of COVID-19

The first case of the coronavirus in sub-Saharan Africa has been confirmed in Nigeria.

It is an Italian male working in Nigeria who flew into Lagos from Milan on February 25. 

Authorities say he is stable and is being treated at a hospital in the city.

Elsewhere on the African continent, Algeria and Egypt have also confirmed cases of the disease.

More than 80,000 people in nearly 50 countries have been infected worldwide of which almost 2,800 have died, the majority in China's Hubei province.

The coronavirus outbreak has reached a "decisive point" and has "pandemic potential", according to World Health Organization head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus. 

He urged governments to act swiftly and aggressively to contain the virus.