US supports Pakistan's fight against Covid-19: Alice Wells

She expresses her condolences on the death of Dr Usama Riaz - first Pakistani doctor to die of Covid-19

US diplomat Alice Wells on Tuesday said the United States stands with Pakistan in the country's fight against the novel coronavirus and its outbreak in the country.

The senior US diplomat also expressed her condolences on the death of Dr Usama Riaz, the first Pakistani doctor to die of the novel coronavirus, after contracting the virus during the screening process of pilgrims returning from Iran and Iraq.

The US diplomat also lauded brave medical workers for risking their lives to help those infected with the pneumonia-like virus.

"Saddened to hear of the death of Dr Usama Riaz, who was on the frontlines of the fight against Covid-19 in Pakistan. The US stands with you," she wrote.

 

We salute all the brave medical workers across South and Central Asia who are risking their lives to help the sick and keep us safe. Saddened to hear of the death of Dr. Usama Riaz, who was on the frontlines of the fight against #COVID19 in Pakistan. The U.S. stands with you. AGW

— State_SCA (@State_SCA) March 23, 2020

Dr Usama Riaz developed serious complications two days after testing positive for the coronavirus and was shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Gilgit where medics put him on a ventilator due to his critical situation. However, he passed away on Sunday.

G-B’s Information Department confirmed the death, saying Dr Usama Riaz has sacrificed his life in the war against the coronavirus. “He will be declared a national hero,” it added.