First doctor dies from coronavirus in Pakistan

A 26-year-old Pakistani doctor has become country's first medic to die after contracting vel coronavirus while treating COVID-19 patients in Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

Usma Riaz was treating patients who recently returned from Iraq and Iran.

Pakistan, which borders Iran and China, two of most affected countries by dely coronavirus, has reported five deaths and nearly 800 persons have been infected.

Riaz was part of a 10-member team of doctors tasked with screening patients returning from downtowns, particularly those arriving re from Iran via Taftan. He later started providing services to suspected patients in isolation centres established for m in Gilgit.

Riaz belonged to Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). He came home on Friday night but could t get next day. He was first rushed to a military hospital and n to district hospital. He was put on ventilator and died on Sunday, according to his family.

GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed death of young physician who is first doctor to die in battle against dely virus.

"It is with extreme sness that Gilgit-Baltistan health department confirms that Usama Riaz who played a key role in war against coronavirus has passed away," GB government tweeted on Monday.

"Usama proved himself real hero by sacrificing his life to save ors, GB Information Minister Shams Mir said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Medical Association of Gilgit-Baltistan (PMA G-B) in reaction to Riaz's death accused government of negligence towards safety of doctors.

Riaz h contracted COVID-19 due to negligence of government and its health department," President PMA G-B Zulfiqar Ali said.

"We will again see what issue is, and if y (quarantined pilgrims) need furr treatment, y will be shifted to DHQ (District Hequarter Hospital) or city hospital, but if y can be treated here, we will provide treatment to m here. 

region in rth of Pakistan along border with China has so far reported 55 cases.