Turkish doctor succumbs to coronavirus

A Turkish doctor has died after contracting coronavirus from his patient.

Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu, who succumbed to the disease on April 1, was a professor of Internal Medicine at Istanbul University.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, professor Dr. Tufan Tükek, dean of Istanbul University, said Taşçıoğlu had tested positive for the virus and was being treated since March 16.

Taşçıoğlu had been in intensive care unit for 15 days.

That was the first known death of a doctor in Turkey from coronavirus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences to the doctor's friends and family.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca also issued a statement, offering his condolences.

On a related note, Koca said on April 1 that more than 600 healthcare personnel had contracted coronavirus in the country.

"I am very reluctant to share this data…our health personnel are shouldering all the burden out there in the field…The figure is 601," Koca told a press briefing in Ankara in a trembling voice.

Noting that nearly 4 million N95 protective masks have been distributed to state institutions as part of coronavirus measures over the past week, Koca said that Turkey had cut the exports of masks.

The minister said that the number of test centers for coronavirus will be increased to 89.