COLOMBO (News1st): The second Sri Lankan who tested positive for COVID – 19 in the country has died, becoming the first death reported in the country, officials said on Saturday.

The patient, a 60-year old resident of Marawila, had died while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the IDH Hospital in Angoda.

Statistics issued by the Epidemiology Unit show that the deceased, who was identified with the disease on March 12, had 17 contact points.

So far, 110 COVID – 19 patients have been reported in the country, with nine recoveries. The Ministry of Health said that 199 patients suspected to have contracted the virus are under medical observation.

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