VIENTIANE, May 9 (Xinhua) - Lao Ministry of Health on Sunday reported the first COVID-19 death.

The victim was a 53-year-old woman, who received treatment for COVID-19 at designated hospital in Lao capital Vientiane since April 30, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Latsamy Vongkhamsao told a press conference in Vientiane on Sunday.

Latsamy added that Laos recorded 69 new COVID-19 cases over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,302.

A total of 232 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Laos confirmed its first two COVID-19 cases on March 24 last year.