Japan announces first death of person infected with COVID-19

Singapore reports 8 new cases, total tally jumps to 58

A woman in her 80s has become the first person with the new #coronavirus to die in Japan, the country's health minister said Thursday, cautioning it was not clear if the virus caused her death

Japan reported its first coronavirus death, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said.

The victim is an 80-year-old woman living in Kanagawa prefecture, which borders on Tokyo, Kato told a news conference.

Singapore reported its biggest daily jump in coronavirus cases, with eight newly infected patients bringing its total to 58, the health ministry said.

All of the new cases were linked to previous patients, the ministry said. Of the 58 confirmed cases reported, 15 have recovered and been discharged from hospital while seven are in critical condition in intensive care, it added.