Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

This 58-year-old Spanish police officer has become the first cop to die from the coronavirus in the country’s capital.

According to local media, Juan Sanchez, 58, who worked in the capital Madrid and was still a serving officer when he died, had been on sick leave since 10th February suffering from a previous illness.

It was not specified what the illness was, but the symptoms involved respiratory problems.

The policeman had needed an “oxygen machine” to breathe when he had previously been working despite his respiratory issues, local media reported.

Reports said that he worked in the local police unit of Vicalvaro and his colleagues were very fond of him.

A colleague whose name has not been reported told local media: “He knew he was sick but he wanted to stay active.”

The Local Police of Madrid wrote in a Twitter message: “We are sorry to tell you that our partner could not get over his situation despite the fight. We sent our condolences to his relatives and his colleagues from the Vicalvaro Unit.”

Spain has suffered 13, 910 confirmed cases of COVID-19 leading to 623 deaths.

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