Coronavirus: Woman is first UK patient to die after testing positive for COVID-19

The woman in her 70s was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital inReading on Wednesday and had tested positive for COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Woman is first UK patient to die after testing positive for COVID-19

A woman in her 70s has become the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus – as it was revealed she caught the virus in Britain. The patient was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Wednesday evening and had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. A statement released by the hospital on Thursday said: “Sadly, we can confirm that an older patient with underlying health conditions has died. Boris Johnson reacts to news of first death of patient in UK, having tested positive for coronavirus. “The patient has previously been in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, but on this occasion was admitted and last night tested positive for coronavirus. “The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.” England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the “older patient” who died is believed to have contracted the virus in the UK “and contact tracing is already under way”. It comes after the number of coronavirus cases in the UK more than doubled in 48 hours, with Downing Street warning it is “highly likely” the virus will now spread in a “significant way”.