Coronavirus claims first Latin American life: 65 year-old man from Argentina dies
Argentine health authorities report that a 65 year-old man, a resident of Buenos Aires, died today as a result of coronavirus.
The victim, Guillermo Gómez, reportedly contracted the virus during a recent visit to France, from where he returned on February 25. The man suffered from poor health - including diabetes, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, and kidney failure.
Hospital sources state he first reported a high fever and flu-like symptoms on February 28, and was taken to Argerich Hospital, in the city's working-class southside, for treatment on March 5.
He thus becomes Latin America's first victim of the viral epidemic that originated in Wuhan, China - but which has since spread to over 100 countries.
A total of 8 cases have been reported in Argentina - all from individuals who had recently traveled to Italy, France, and/or Spain. The remaining cases are under hospital treatment, and are expected to recover.
Some 57 cases have been reported in nine Latin American nations as of March 7.
Argentine Health Minister Ginés González García ordered epidemic control protocols at Pistarini International Airport - the main point of entry for air-bound travel into Argentina - on January 31 for flights originating in China, and these protocols were extended to flight from Italy on February 25.
At: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&tab=wT&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telam.com.ar%2Fnotas%2F202003%2F438627-coronavirus-argentina-primer-caso-muerte.html
Ambulance staff and onlookers are seen outside Buenos Aires' Argerich Hospital, where a 65 year-old diabetic man became the first Latin American victim of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.