Peshawar, March 19: Pakistan has reported its first two deaths from the novel coronavirus in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, provincial Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra confirmed.

The fist fatality involves a 50-year-old man from Mardan who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, while the other deceased was a 36-year-old man from Hangu who had been undergoing treatment at the Lady Reading Hospital at the provincial capital Peshawar. COVID-19 Outbreak: China Reports No New Domestic Coronavirus Cases for First Time.

"With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to #coronavirus. A 50 yr old male from Mardan recently returned from Umra, developed fever, cough & breathing difficulty and tested +ve for coronavirus. Contacts are being screened. Our condolences to the family" tweeted Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Health."Sadly, a second patient in LRH Peshawar, a 36 yr old, from Hangu, has also passed away, from the Corona Virus," Jhagra tweeted.

The country has reported a total of 301 confirmed cases, including 208 in the southern province of Sindh alone. 33 cases have been reported in the eastern province of Punjab, 23 in Balochistan, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and two in capital Islamabad.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)