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Armenia has confirmed seven new coronavirus infections as of March 19, bringing the total number of cases to 122 in the country, Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan told a briefing on Thursday.

According to the minister, the coronavirus death toll worldwide is directly linked to the population's health issues.

“The high death toll is mainly due to smoking and poor nutrition causing 2.5 times more men to die from this virus,” he said, adding 72% of the coronavirus victims are men.

In Torosyan’s words, coronavirus poses serious risks for people aged 70-75, with the average age of the dead being 79.4 years.

He stresses the main case of the deaths are underlying chronic diseases rather than the age of people.

He expressed hope that Armenia will report no coronavirus deaths.

Commenting on the health condition of the citizens who were put in quarantine after being evacuated from Italy, the minister said all of them are feeling well. Only one citizen had fever on Wednesday and will be tested for coronavirus, he said, adding the other citizens will undergo testing after the 14-day quarantine period expires.