Latin American has reported more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday, while governments announced cancellations of major events to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced Friday that the country has 10 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing its total to 38.

The Peruvian government has taken a series of measures to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, including the suspension of flights from Europe and Asia.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed on Friday the first two cases in his country.

As the patients had recently returned from Spain's capital Madrid aboard a flight with the Spanish airline Iberia, Venezuelan authorities announced that "preventative quarantine" would be applied to the passengers who flew on Iberia planes on March 5-8.

The government has suspended all large public gatherings in the country to stop the spread of the virus.

Colombia's Ministry of Health and Social Protection has revealed four new cases in the country, bringing the national total to 13.

Three of the new patients had recently returned from Europe while the other one was infected by a family member who had traveled from Italy.

"These cases were confirmed after the President of the Republic, Ivan Duque Marquez, made (on Thursday) the emergency health declaration for the entire country and the restriction of large events of more than 500 people," said a report from the ministry.

Colombia will close its borders with Venezuela and stop visitors who have been to Europe or Asia from entering the country, Duque said late Friday.

Ecuador has 23 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Friday, said Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner, who is presiding over the Committee of Emergency Operations, a government body coordinating actions to halt the virus's spread.

Ecuador has restricted flights from certain countries in Europe and Asia.

After an Ecuadoran citizen died in Italy from the coronavirus infection, the first person diagnosed in the country, an eldly woman who had recently returned from a trip to Spain, also died, local media reported Friday.

Argentina reported Friday a second death caused by coronavirus infection in the country -- a 61-year-old man who entered Argentina in February after visiting Egypt, Turkey and Germany.

As of Friday, Argentina's total number of cases was 31, including the two deaths.

Uruguay has confirmed its first four cases of the novel coronavirus. All patients entered the country on March 3-6 from Milan, Italy.

The government has adopted a series of preventative measures against the virus, including prohibiting the disembarkation of any passengers on the cruise ship MSC Poesia, which came from Argentina, and suspending the Montevideo Rock music festival.

El Salvador has also cancelled sports activities and forbidden gatherings of more than 200 people.

President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday decided to seal the country's borders, while any Salvadoran returning from abroad must remain in quarantine for 30 days.

As the government is monitoring the situation, 2,000 soldiers have been deployed to blind spots along the borders to stop illegal entries.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei confirmed Friday the country's index case of the disease -- a patient who had recently returned from a trip to Italy. The country has been on high alert since Feb. 25.

The Costa Rican government confirmed on Friday that the number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 26, urging citizens to stay home and avoid exposure to any possible contagion.

Cuban public health authorities said Friday that almost 100 people are under medical observation for possible coronavirus infection. Some suspected cases have been isolated in hospitals while others are in their homes.

As the number of coronavirus cases in Brazil has risen to 98, the country has entered the community transmission phase, given that the origin of some infections cannot be traced in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

In some Brazilian states, schools and universities have been closed mostly for two weeks, while concerts, parades and other public events have been suspended until further notice.