BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina reported 117 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, its biggest one-day leap yet, bringing its total cases to 502.

The health ministry also confirmed for the first time that cases of local person-to-person “community transmission” had been detected. Eight deaths were reported.

Argentina is currently under a national mandatory quarantine until March 31. Its borders are also closed to non-residents during the same period.

(GRAPHIC: Argentina coronavirus cases – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/editorcharts/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-ARGENTINA/0H001R8J0CG6/eikon.png)

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison)

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