A doctor in Gilgit-Baltistan who treated coronavirus patients has died of the virus himself, the provincial health department said in a statement on Sunday.

Dr. Usama Riaz, the 26-year-old doctor from the northern Gilgit Baltistan (GB) area of Pakistan, died Sunday after contracting the coronavirus while screening pilgrims returning from Iran, the GB government said in a statement.

“The Gilgit-Baltistan health department sadly confirms that Dr Usama Riaz, who was playing a vanguard role in the fight against coronavirus, has embraced martyrdom,” the statement said.

The Department of Health has urged authorities to declare Dr Riaz a national hero. This is the fourth death in Pakistan from coronavirus.

There are 777 reported cases of virus in the country so far. Sindh had the highest 333 cases reported.