Madagascar records first coronavirus death

Madagascar has recorded its first death of a patient with coronavirus, according to an official announcement made on television.

The 57-year-old hospital worker, who died on Saturday, was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, Reuters news agency reports quoting the statement.

The president of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has been touting a clinically untested herbal tonic as a treatment for Covid-19, which has been taken up by several African countries.

The World Health Organization has warned against using untested remedies.

Madagascar has 304 confirmed cases of the virus, AFP news agency reports.