The coronavirus crisis has claimed its first victim in the island.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle confirmed tonight that a patient has died at Noble’s Hospital as a result of Covid-19.

He said: ’This is the announcement I never wanted to make, but it was an announcement that was inevitable when the brutality of this pandemic became clear.’

Mr Quayle said he gave the news with the ’heaviest of hearts’.

He confirmed the victim had an underlying health condition and the family have been informed.

He said he had been praying for the family since he heard the news.’I know this death will send a shock through our community. I know people will be scared, I understand that,' he said.

'This will not be the last death in our island because of Covid-19. Too many of us will lose loved-ones.’We are fighting an invisible enemy about which we know so little.’

Mr Quayle was joined by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney who expressed deep sorrow over the first Covid-19 death in the island, which he said was a tragedy for the family concerned, the community and the island.The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Isle of Man now stands at 68.In total 66 patients have been instructed to self-isolate and one is being treated at the hospital.The contact tracing process is already underway led by Public Health.There have been 1,014 concluded tests, 196 people are awaiting results and 189 are awaiting tests.