Seychelles has recorded its first death from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus.

The patient was a 57-year-old Seychellois man who was hospitalised on New Year's Eve, according to a statement from the health authorities.

“The situation is deteriorating and everyone should take the situation seriously,” President Wavel Ramkalawan said in a press briefing on Monday.

The Indian Ocean archipelago confirmed 16 new cases on Sunday evening, three of which were reported on its second most populous island of Praslin.

Seychelles - composed of 115 islands - registered its first case of Covid-19 on 14 March 2020. It has so far recorded 322 cases and 223 recoveries.

The government last week imposed restrictions, including ordering the closure of churches, bars, gyms and schools, following a rise in infections.

There are also travel restrictions and businesses are encouraged to operate virtually, except for essential services.