GB spokesperson retracts statement on Pakistan’s first coronavirus death

Pakistan reported its first coronavirus death in Gilgit-Baltistan Wednesday evening.

The deceased was a resident of Bunar in Diamer district, according to Faizullah Faraq, the spokesperson of the Gilgit-Baltistan government.

He was over 90 years old, confirmed GB Health Secretary Rashid Ahmed. Ahmed said the patient was first bought to DHQ Gilgit where he tested positive for the virus. He was then shifted to Combined Military Hospital Gilgit where he passed away.

Shortly after confirming to SAMAA Digital that the patient died of the coronavirus, the GB spokesperson issued a statement saying that the man also had pneumonia. His statement read that the patient had both pneumonia and corona and the cause of death is not yet known.

NEOC Coordinator Dr Rana Safdar said the patient was 90 years old and bed-ridden for the last five years due to chronic pulmonary disease and blindness. He had no travel history.

Many news outlets had reported a death in Punjab’s Lahore on Tuesday but the news was dismissed by the Punjab chief minister.

Gilgit-Baltistan reported 10 more cases of COVID-19, the spokesperson had confirmed. This takes the region’s tally to 13.

As of 7:56pm, Wednesday, March 18, Pakistan has reported 288 cases.

For live updates on the coronavirus in Pakistan follow this story.

Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/living/health/2020/03/gb-spokesperson-retracts-statement-on-pakistans-first-coronavirus-death/