New Delhi, Apr 27 (IANS): In a suspected coronavirus death, a Section Officer in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) G. Srinivas passed away during treatment here at a city hospital, officials said on Monday.

In his 50s, Srinivas, a Telugu officer, was feeling uneasy from Saturday. He called an ambulance on Sunday and was admitted in Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital where he succumbed around 5 p.m., said an official in the DoPT requesting anonymity.

As Srinivas' postmortem report is still awaited and it is likely to come on Tuesday evening, it is difficult to confirm that he was infected with novel coronavirus or COVID-19, the official said.

"It is very bad to inform you that we have lost our friend G. Srinivas, Section Officer, DoPT (ISTM). However, it is not sure that it is a COVID-19 case. May his soul rest in peace. But if it is a COVID death all of us must take utmost care, especially while attending office during this period. May his soul RIP (Rest In Peace)," said the official.

Srinivas' death was reported at a time when a total of 872 deaths occurred in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadly virus has so far infected over 20,500 people in the country.