The first victim of so-called UK strain of the novel coronavirus was reported in North Macedonia, according to the country's healthcare authorities.

Health Minister Venko Filipce told local media that the first fatality caused by the new variant of the virus was a 45-year old man from Ohrid, who suffered from obesity which is considered a risk factor.

The man was hospitalised at the beginning of January as one of three patients with the UK virus variant in North Macedonia.

The country reported 325 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and seven more fatalities.

The new results were confirmed in 2,589 lab tests that were performed on those who reported symptoms.