A MEDICAL doctor became the country’s first healthcare provider to succumb to the deadly coronavirus, bringing the death toll to nine, said Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The 48-year-old doctor has a history of travelling to Turkey, he added.

The victim was admitted to Hospital Tuanku Fauziah in Kangar, Perlis on March 17 after experiencing symptoms of severe acute respiratory infection.

Dr Noor Hisham said the victim’s source of infection is linked to his overseas travel history.

Health authorities suspected the doctor was not affected by front liners or colleagues who are dealing with Covid-19 cases.

“He was pronounced dead at 10.33am today,” Dr Noor Hisham said while relaying his condolences to the victim’s family.

The victim was tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday and was put on breathing support since Thursday after his condition deteriorated.

As of noon yesterday, there were 1,183 cases of infections reported in Malaysia.

Worldwide, a total of 275,577 cases have been reported with the death toll surpassing 12,000. – March 22, 2020.