Malta has recorded its sixth death from Coronavirus, the Health Ministry said.

The man, aged 53, had been a patient at Mater Dei Hospital for the past months.

He is now the youngest victim of the virus in Malta.

The victim has been named as Aaron Casha, a surgeon by profession. He was a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Resident Academic within the Department of Anatomy

Tributes have been pouring in on the social media, with one of his colleagues, Joseph Grima, saying that Malta had lost a brilliant surgeon and a top academic.

Former health minister Joe Cassar, who last month had also tested positive to the virus, said Casha was a great colleague, doctor, surgeon, intellectual and loving family man. 

The ministry said that the man suffered from other conditions and had tested positive on 9 May.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the family and again appealed for all health department instructions to be followed especially to protect the most vulnerable.

The first case of Coronavirus in Malta was registered on 7 March, with the total so far reaching 506.

The other five deaths were recorded as follows:

Wednesday 8 April – Woman, 92, Gozo General Hospital

Thursday 9 April – Man, 79, Karen Grech Hospital

Saturday 11 April – Man, 84, Mater Dei Hospital

Saturday 25 April – Woman, 96, Mater Dei Hospital

Tuesday 5 May – Man, 81, Karen Grech Hospital