In its updated assessment of the risks caused by the coronavirus, the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) includes smokers among those potentially most vulnerable to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Smokers are more susceptible to breathing complications caused by the disease, the ECDC said.

The agency cited a study by Chinese doctors which on a sample of 99 patients affected by the coronavirus found that acute smokers were more at risk of dying than elderly people.

The plea comes as Timor-Leste reported no new COVID-19 infections for the second consecutive day on Sunday.

The total number of confirmed infections is 24, with six recoveries.