Balochistan reports first death of coronavirus patient

65-year-old diabetic patient succumbed to deadly disease at hospital in Quetta, say officials

QUETTA: Balochistan  late Sunday reported first death of the novel coronavirus patient who was undergoing treatment at a government hospital, taking the national death toll to six.

The provincial government's officials said that the 65-year-old man was a resident of Quetta and a diabetic patient.

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani confirmed the development on his official Twitter handle expressing grief over the loss of human life.

65 years old Corona patient died at Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital in Quetta.

So sad to learn about the first death case of a Corona patient in Balochistan.
May rest in peace.
Condolences to the grived family.#CoronavirusOutbreak#CoronaInPakistan #CoronaFreePakistan

— Liaquat Shahwani (@LiaquatShahwani) March 22, 2020

So far the number of infected patients in the province has crossed 100 with nationwide COVID-19 tally has swelled to 777.

The Balochistan government following sharp increase in the coronavirus cases imposed a 21-day partial lockdown on Friday closing all markets, commercial centers and food restaurants.

The authorities had also banned inter-provincial and intra-city public transport for a period of 21 days across the province, besides imposing section 144 and shutting down all educational institutes across the province.

Earlier in day, the Gilgit-Galtistan government also reported first death due to COVID-19 after a doctor, Usama Riaz, who contracted the contagion while screening suspected coronavirus patients, passed away undergoing treatment.