UPDATE 1-France prepares in case of coronavirus epidemic -Health Minister

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday new cases of coronavirus were "very likely" in France and health authorities were ready in case of an epidemic, adding he was "particularly watchful" of the situation in Italy.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has called up a meeting at 5:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) to review the coronavirus situation, Philippe's office also said in a statement. Apart from Veran, the meeting will include Army Minister Florence Parly, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebarri.

"Today, there is only one infected patient in France, who is hospitalized in Lyon. His health condition is not worrying. All the others, apart from an 80-year old man who died, were released cured and are not contagious," Veran said in an interview with Le Parisien/Aujourdhui en France-Dimanche newspaper. Cases of the new coronavirus in Italy, the most affected country in Europe, rose on Saturday to more than 100, killing two people and prompting the government to close off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.

"Other cases, it is very likely. An epidemic? We are getting ready for it," Veran added. Veran said the number of laboratories in France equipped with diagnostic tests would be increased to reach a capacity of "several thousands" of tests a day, against 400 now.

China reported another fall in new coronavirus infections outside of its epicenter on Sunday, but world health officials warned it was too early to make predictions about the outbreak as new cases and fears of contagion increased elsewhere.

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