A sixth patient has died in the UK after testing positive for the coronavirus, NHS England said.
The person who passed away was an 80-year-old man with underlying health conditions, who was being treated at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
The most recent announcement came as a top UK health official said that "many thousands of people" are due to be struck with Covid-19.
Worldwide, almost 110,000 have tested positive for the coronavirus, and almost 4,000 have died.
At the time of writing, 373 people have tested positive for Covid-19 un the UK since January 31.
Confirming the latest death, a statement from West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Watford General Hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.
“The patient, who died in the evening of Monday March 9, was in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions.
“His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “I am sorry to confirm a sixth patient in England who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died.
"I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.
“The patient, who was being treated by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, was in their 80s and had underlying health conditions.
“It appears the virus was acquired in the UK and full contact tracing has begun.”
