Burkina Faso has announced its first death from Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus.

The authorities say the patient was a diabetic woman aged 62 years.

"This tragic event calls us all to recognise the scale and seriousness of the problem which confronts us all," said Martial Ouedraogo, the West African nation's Covid-19 response co-ordinator.

"This is a very contagious illness that is potentially fatal and that for now has no treatment aside from prevention.”

Burkina Faso has confirmed a total of 26 cases, including its first case in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second largest city.