Two deaths of coronavirus in Pakistan confirmed

Muscat: Pakistan has confirmed its two coronavirus-related deaths after two patients died in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The announcement of the deaths was done by both Dr Zafar Mirza, Pakistan’s State Minister of Health and Taimur Khan Jhagra, KP’s Health Minister on their official twitter handle.

According to Mirza, the first death of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was of a 50-year-old male from Mardan in KP who returned from Umrah.

“With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to coronavirus. A 50-year-old male from Mardan recently returned from Umrah, developed fever, cough and breathing difficulty and tested positive for coronavirus. Contacts are being screened. Our condolences to the family,” Mirza wrote.

Jhagra, KP Health Minister also confirmed the two deaths on his official twitter handle. Shortly after reporting the first death in Mardan, Jhagra announced the second death of a 36-year-old in KP.

“Sadly, a second patient in LRH [Lady Reading Hospital] Peshawar, a 36-year-old, from Hangu, has also passed away, from coronavirus,” he wrote in a separate tweet later.

He further went on saying: “a long day and a sad night. We have lost two human lives to challenge the likes of which I have not seen in my life. And yet we must overcome.

“Can I request for every influencer, and everyone in the media, to prevail upon the public to do the right thing?”

Jhagra also urged the masses not to indulge in social media wars and debates pointing out which province is doing better in terms of tackling coronavirus.

“There will be time to discuss which province beat the other. And to analyse every decision everyone has made. But today, none of that analysis will help the people of Pakistan do what they need to. Stay at home if you can. Protect the elderly. It’s time to show leadership,” he wrote.