WASHINGTON: Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells on Tuesday said the United States stands with Pakistan in her fight against the novel coronavirus.
The diplomat also expressed her condolences on the death of Dr. Usama Riaz, the 26-year-old doctor from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) who died on Sunday after contracting the virus while screening pilgrims returning at Taftan border crossing.
“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,” Wells said via Twitter.
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
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.
GB’s Information Department confirmed the death, saying Riaz has sacrificed his life in the war against the coronavirus.
Wells also lauded “brave medical workers” for “risking their lives to help those infected with the pneumonia-like virus”.
