LONDON, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A third patient in the UK who tested positive for COIVD-19 has died, UK's health authorities confirmed Sunday evening.

The patient, who was being treated at the North Manchester General Hospital, was over 60 years old and had significant underlying health conditions, Chief Medical Officer for England Prof. Chris Whitty said in a statement.

The patient had recently traveled from an affected area, and contact tracing is already underway, said Whitty.

As of Sunday morning, a total of 273 people have tested positive for COIVD-19 in the UK, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care.