LISBON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Portugal recorded its first COVID-19 death on Monday, Health Minister Marta Temido announced.
The victim is an 80-year-old man who had "several associated pathologies" and had been hospitalized for several days at the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, said the minister, who conveyed his condolences to his family and friends.
Temido said at a press briefing that it was a time of "regret and reflection."
The minister thanked the health professionals at the hospital for supporting the patient and "for the enormous daily effort" to ensure that the National Health Service (SNS) continues to function.
To date, 331 people have been infected with the coronavirus in Portugal, according to the official daily bulletin. Enditem
