Iceland confirms first death from coronavirus

Icelandic health authorities said Tuesday that a patient in her 70s had died from COVID-19, marking the country's first confirmed death from the new coronavirus.

According to a statement from The National University Hospital ofIceland, the Icelandic woman had also been suffering from a chronic illness.

It is the first death from COVID-19 to be confirmed officially.

According to Icelandic media reports, an Australian tourist who was confirmed to have the virus died early last week.

But the man's symptoms were not typical of COVID-19 and doctors have yet to determinine the exact cause of death.

The subarcticislandnation on Tuesday reported 588 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.

Over the weekend, the government announced a new round of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the infection, including the closure of businesses and a ban on gatherings of over 20 people.

Universities and high schools have been closed since March 16, but primary schools and day-care centres continue to operate.