Turkish party chair dies from coronavirus

The head of Turkey's Independent Turkey Party (BTP), Haydar Baş, who tested positive for coronavirus, has lost his life, according to Turkish media.

On April 13, Baş was hospitalized with eight other members of his family who tested positive in northern Trabzon province.

He is the first political party leader to lose his life in Turkey as a result of the pandemic.

So far, Turkey has confirmed over 61,000 cases, including 1,296 deaths. The country has imposed restrictions on daily life to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Turkey was one of the first countries to take measures against the coronavirus, closing its border with Iran and halting flights from China and Italy. It has since shut down all international arrivals, restricted domestic flights and set up road checkpoints outside cities to prevent unessential travel.