Egyptian Journalist Mahmoud Riad Abujabal dies at 42 of coronavirus

A 42-year-old Egyptian journalist died from the coronavirus on Monday, becoming the country’s first journalist to die from the disease, Egypt’s Press Syndicate announced in a statement.

Mahmoud Riad Abujabal, Head of Sports Section at El Khamis online portal, tested positive for coronavirus along with his family three weeks ago, and quarantined in al-Agoza Hospital in Giza.

Abujabal had posted on his official Facebook account an update on his health six days before his death saying “[I have been feeling] continuous fatigue and high temperature for 14 days.”

Mohamed Shabana, Press Syndicate’s secretary-general, said Abujabal’s condition was improving but it abruptly deteriorated in his last hours.

“Three out of four of Riad’s children are still isolated in the hospital after contracting the virus,” Shabana said.

Diaa Rashwan, chairman of the Press Syndicate, mourned Abujabal’s death, calling upon syndicate members and the public to follow strict precautionary measures to stay safe.