Young doctor Usama Riaz has passed away after battling against Coronavirus disease at District Headquarter Hospital, Gilgit. He was admitted to an intensive care unit at DHQ Hospital Gilgit. He had contracted COVID-19 while working with coronavirus patients at a quarantine center in Joglot, Gilgit, set up for Zaireen coming from Iran.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan through the information department made the announcement. Earlier, young doctors including Dr. Ejaz Ayub, the President of Young Doctor Association Gilgit-Baltistan, had blamed the provincial government for not providing the safety kits to doctors and paramedics.

Dr. Usama Riaz had recently completed his medical degree from Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. He was one of the team members of 10 paramedics and doctors deputed on duty at Coronavirus quarantine center in Jaglot near Gilgit city.

Dr. Usama Riaz had posted a photo of his convocation just a year ago. Shortly after his graduation, he came back to Gilgit-Baltistan and started his job with the People’s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI).

Dr. Usama Riaz belonged to Chilas, Diamer, but was settled in Gilgit. He is expected to be laid to rest tomorrow under strict protocol.

The Chief Minister and Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan have paid their tribute to Dr. Usama Riaz for his services. Numerous national and international leaders also sent their wishes and tributes on Facebook and Twitter.

Started in Wuhan, China, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has now affected over half a million people across 160 countries with the death toll now reaching to twenty thousand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus disease a pandemic.

In Pakistan, the number of active coronavirus cases are now over one thousand, which consists of many Zaireen who have recently returned from Iran through the Taftan border.

A Mashabrum bus carrying around 40 passengers has met a tragic accident at around 7:30 AM early Sunday in Gittidas near Babusar Pass in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan. The bus was traveling from Skardu to Rawalpindi.

According to Faizullah Faraq, the spokesperson for the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, 26 passengers were confirmed dead while 15 injured passengers have been transferred to District Headquarter Hospital in Chilas.

Passengers of a private coaster traveling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit were the first to reach the location followed by police and paramedics.

Among the dead include five people of the same family. 16 Pakistan Army personnel were also among the dead. Commander FCNA Major General Ehsan Mehmood also reached the location of the accident in a Pakistan Army helicopter and participated in the rescue operation of the injured.

According to an initial report sent to the media by Diamer police spokesperson Mohammad Wakeel, the driver lost control of the bus and rammed into a cliff while taking a turn. Over two dozen passengers were killed on the spot.