Bulgaria reports first death from coronavirus

A 66-year-old Bulgarian woman became the first person to die of the coronavirus in the country, the health ministry said.

The woman was taken to an emergency hospital in Sofia on Tuesday with severe pneumonia. Her 74-year-old husband, also diagnosed with coronavirus, is fighting for his life, the ministry said in a statement. The confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Balkan country reached seven.

A 62-year-old doctor from Sofia who recently returned from Britain and Spain, tested positive on Wednesday, said Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, head of Bulgaria's coronavirus taskforce. She has not worked with patients since Feb. 22 and was in a good condition, he said.

Bulgaria has limited sports and cultural events held indoors to 250 people and urged people to keep their distance while attending such events, in a bid to stop coronavirus spreading. The government has urged businesses to apply flexible working time and allow employees to work remotely where possible.