Uzbekistan reports first coronavirus death

Uzbekistan locked down more cities and districts on Friday in its effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, as it reported the country’s first death.

A 72-year old woman in the city of Namangan died this morning, having suffered from a host of other diseases in addition to the coronavirus, the healthcare ministry said? adding that the number of cases in the country climbed to 83.

Municipal authorities in the province of Navoi said they were locking down the cities of Navoi and Zarafshan, as well as several districts, Reuters reported.

The central Asian nation has already locked down some of its biggest cities, including the capital, Tashkent. Authorities in Bukhara also said the city would close its borders.