KP media records first virus fatality.

PESHAWAR -- A private news channel's senior reporter, Fakhruddin Syed, died of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) at a hospital here early on Thursday becoming the first virus fatality among journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The deceased, who was around 40, has left behind a widow and two minor daughters.

His funeral was held here in Gulbahar Colony, which was attended by journalists in large numbers while observing social distancing.

Fourteen journalists have so far tested positive for Covid-19 and 12 of them have recovered.

A reporter at 92 News, Raham Yousafzai, has recovered of the disease as he tested negative for the virus on Wednesday, while photojournalist Imad Waheed working with Urdu Daily Nai Baat was diagnosed with the disease on Wednesday.

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Mr Fakhruddin, who was a reporter at 92 News Channel, had been attached with journalism for around 20 years and apart from other issues, he had vigorously covered crimes and terrorism related stories.

His close friends said he was not feeling well for around two weeks and had stayed at home. However, when his condition deteriorated and he started facing severe breathing problem he was rushed to the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), a major public sector hospital in Peshawar.

'Fakhruddin was shifted to the hospital when his condition aggravated and he could not survive despite hectic efforts made by health professionals,' said HMC medical director Dr Shehzad Akbar Khan.

He said after plasma transfusion, his condition had improved slightly but it worsened yet again on Wednesday, so he was shifted to the intensive care unit and put on ventilator.

'Just like doctors, media persons have also been on the front while covering Covid-19-related stories and therefore, they should take extra care and adopt all precautionary measures,' he said.

The close friends of the deceased said Fakhruddin was a down-to-earth person known for meeting journalists with a pleasant smile.

According to them, the deceased had started his career in journalism from Urdu daily Jehad around 20 years ago and later joined Daily Pakistan. Later, he switched over to the electronic media and worked with Dawn News, Aaj TV and 92 News.

The deceased had remained in forefront and...