GP, 76, feared to be first doctor to die after contracting virus

A GP is feared to have become the first doctor in the UK to have died after contracting coronavirus.

Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, died at Southend Hospital in Essex 24 hours after being taken ill on Tuesday, the BBC has reported.

Tests have not yet confirmed that he died of Covid-19 but his daughter, Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, said he showed "textbook symptoms" of the virus.

She told the BBC: "For that to be the thing that took him is too much to bear.

"It is reflective of his sacrifice."

Dr Zaidi, who worked as a GP in Leigh-on-Sea, had reportedly been self-isolating and not seen patients in person for about a week.

He was managing partner of Eastwood Group Practice with his wife Dr Talat Zaidi.

Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Zaidi.

"Dr Zaidi and his family are well known and well loved within the community."

And a former patient wrote: "A kinder more caring gentleman, doctor and friend you would be hard to find."