Buenos Aires, March 9 (RHC)--Argentina reported on Monday Latin America's first COVID-19-related death, a  64-year-old man.

The Ministry of Health said the patient lived in Buenos Aires and had been confirmed with COVID-19 after coming down with a cough, fever,  and sore throat following a recent trip to Europe.

The patient, who suffered kidney failure, had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and bronchitis before being infected with the virus, a statement said.

Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Costa Rica have also reported confirmed cases, and are closely monitoring travelers and reinforcing preventive and testing measures.

In the United States, there is growing outcry over the Trump administration’s mismanagement of the outbreak and the lack of access to tests. Known cases of coronavirus now exceed 700, with 27 recorded deaths. At least 19 of those deaths have been linked to the Life Care Center of Kirkland, Washington — considered ground zero of the U.S. outbreak on the West Coast.