Coronavirus: GP becomes ‘first UK doctor to die’ after suffering ‘textbook symptoms’

‘For that to be the thing that took him is too much to bear. It is reflective of his sacrifice,’ daughter says

Dr Zaidi, 76, who worked as a GP in Leigh-on-Sea, had reportedly self-isolated and had not seen patients in person for about a week (NHS Southend CCG)

A GP is thought to have become the first doctor in the UK to have died while suffering “textbook symptoms” of coronavirus.

Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, died at Southend University Hospital in Essex a day after being taken ill on Tuesday, the BBC reported.

While tests have not yet confirmed he died of Covid-19 his daughter, Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, said he showed “textbook symptoms” of the virus.

She told the BBC: “For that to be the thing that took him is too much to bear.

“It is reflective of his sacrifice.”

Dr Zaidi, who worked as a GP in Leigh-on-Sea, had reportedly been self-isolating and had not seen patients in person for about a week.

“For him to be snatched from us in this way, in these desperately troubling times for the whole world, has left us truly heartbroken,” his family said in a statement.

“Dr Habib Zaidi was devoted in the most altruistic way to the service of his patients and a local community. For 49 years, he served three generations of tens of thousands of families living in the town of Southend.

“His generosity and kindness knew no limits. A dear colleague described him as the father of the medical community. That makes us so proud to hear.”

The family said Dr Zaidi was given the lifetime achievement award of “unsung hero” last year by the local Southend healthcare system.

“That pretty much describes in a nutshell his nearly five decades of devoted service as a GP.

“Not only did he serve his patients, working tirelessly for them, but he never stopped driving to innovate, continually develop, and drive up quality.

“That very much continued to drive him until the very end.

“We are overwhelmed, touched, and comforted by the many kind tributes we have received.

“The name Habib means beloved, and beloved he truly was.

“We know that, not only has he left a gaping hole in our hearts, but a loss that is felt within the community that he devoted almost his entire life to.

“We are praying for the safety of everyone right now.”

His daughter told the BBC he was being treated as a “definitive case” of Covid-19.

“There is little clinical doubt it is coronavirus, the test result is academic.”

Dr Zaidi’s widow has reportedly quarantined herself away from the rest of the family.