Ukraine announces first death from coronavirus

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Ukraine reported Friday its first death from the new coronavirus.

The deadly infection claimed the life of a 71-year old woman in Zhytomyr Oblast, the chief sanitary officer Viktor Lyashko told the daily briefing of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council in Kiev.

"Unpleasant news. Unfortunately, a woman, who was hospitalized yesterday in the Zhytomyr Oblast, died," he said.

Lyashko said the woman recently traveled to Poland and urged the Ukrainians "to minimize the movements."

Ukraine has confirmed two cases so far, both patients are being treated in a special center.

After emerging in Wuhan, China last December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 123 countries and territories.

The global death toll is now nearly 5,000, with more than 132,500 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization, which declared the outbreak a pandemic.