Timor-Leste was one of the few country’s that had not registered a death from COVID-19 since the first outbreak of the novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan China on December 2019.

Nilton do Carmo da Silva told the Independente that the woman suffered from kidney failure and hypertension and died at Lahane Hospital .

Silva explained that the patient’s situation had deteriorated rapidly from having “mild symptoms” when admitted to hospital, to extreme breathing difficulties and then death Tuesday morning.

Timor-Leste is currently experiencing its  highest level of coronavirus cases, with 472 active cases and total of 765 infected since the start of the pandemic.

Dili is under mandatory confinement and a health-fence until April 16, and Baucau and Viqueque until April 9.