Three countries such as Thailand, US and Australia recorded their first deaths from coronavirus (Covid-19) over the weekend. Below are details from CNN and Bangkok Post.
Thailand reports first coronavirus death
A 35-year-old man has become Thailand’s first death due to the novel coronavirus, the country’s Ministry of Public Health said today.
The 35-year-old male retail worker had dengue fever and the new disease known as Covid-19, Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said in a briefing Sunday. “This was a case of local transmission, and he was at risk because he had exposure to Chinese tourists,” he said.
The patient had been hospitalised since Feb 16 at a private hospital and transferred to Bamrasnardura Infectious Diseases Institute and died on Saturday after multiple organ failure.
There are 42 confirmed cases in Thailand.
First coronavirus death in Australia
Australia reported its first novel coronavirus death today — a 78-year-old man repatriated from the cruise ship Diamond Princess.
Western Australia state’s Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson told reporters at a press briefing that the man’s wife was also infected, and remained in a stable condition.
The Department of Health confirmed to CNN that there were two new coronavirus cases in Australia on Sunday, taking the national tally to 27.
First US death reported
President Donald Trump spoke to reporters about the latest coronavirus developments, including the death of a Washington state patient.
WHO: “Highest level of alert”
The World Health Organization says the outbreak has reached the “highest level” of risk for the world, with the director-general warning it can go in “any direction.”
Photo: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA