Islamabad: Two Radio Pakistan staffers died from the novel coronavirus, it was reported.

According to an official statement issued by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) on Thursday, the victims were Senior Broadcast Engineer Mohammad Ashfaq and Huma Zafar, was an Urdu newscaster, reports Dawn news.

They were both associated with Radio Pakistan for 20 years

Radio Pakistan Deputy Controller News Sajjad Parvez told Dawn news that Ashfaq, who was already suffering from a chronic lung condition, tested positive for COVID-19 10 days ago and had isolated himself.

"His kidneys were also weak, because of which he underwent dialysis, but he could not survive," he said.

Of the second victim, Parvez said: "Huma's sister was infected with COVID-19 in Lahore, due to which she went to Lahore with her mother. Later, she and her mother also contracted the virus, due to which her mother died Wednesday night and she died on Thursday."

PBC media coordinator Chaudhry Zameer Ashraf said the PBC has decided to ensure the safety of employees and all possible measures are being taken to protect them from the coronavirus.

A PBC employee said that officially, nine engineers were tested for COVID-19 of which four were positive and the reports of another two employees are still pending (IANS).