Egypt’s state TV records first death among staff due to coronavirus

A news desk staffer at the Egyptian state-owned Television and Radio Union – known as Maspero – passed away on Tuesday of complications from the coronavirus, her family announced.

Rasha Helmy, a news desk staffer at state TV, died on Tuesday after contracting the virus, her husband, Khaled Galal, also an employee at state TV, said in a Facebook post.

Helmy had contracted the virus a few days ago and was referred to a fever hospital, before her case deteriorated later.

Egypt’s Media Syndicate mourned Helmy’s death, describing her as a clear example of commitment in media work.

Helmy’s death is the first reported death inside the state-owned media company.

Maspero reported its first coronavirus case last month after a nurse working in the medical care department contracted the virus. She was sent to an isolation hospital to receive treatment.

The pandemic has also hit the press syndicate, which reported two new coronavirus cases among journalists last week, coming just a week after the first journalist’s death from the virus in the country.

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