The family of a GP feared to be the first doctor in the UK to die from coronavirus have paid tribute to the "unsung hero" who "sacrificed his life" for his job.
Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, died in intensive care on Wednesday - just 24 hours after being taken ill.
He had been self-isolating and hadn't seen patients in person for a week before his death.
His daughter Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, says her father had displayed "textbook symptoms" of the Covid-19 virus, when he was admitted to Southend Hospital in Essex.
If test results confirm he had Covid-19, he would be the first doctor in the UK to die after contracting the virus.
In a statement released this morning, his family said: "For him to be snatched from us in this way, in these desperately troubling times for the whole world, has left us truly heartbroken.
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"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 statement added that Dr Zaidi was given the lifetime achievement award of "unsung hero" last year by the local Southend healthcare system.
His family said: "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, Dr Sarah Zaidi, also told the BBC that her father was being treated as a "definitive case" of coronavirus.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: "There is little clinical doubt it is coronavirus, the test result is academic."
Dr Zaidi, a GP in Leigh-on-Sea for more than 45 years, had been self-isolating and had not seen patients in person for about a week.
He was a managing partner of Eastwood Group Practice with his wife, Dr Talat Zaidi.
Leader of Southend Council, Ian Gilbert, told the BBC: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Zaidi.
"Dr Zaidi and his family are well known and well loved within the community."
Dr Zaidi's widow has reportedly gone into quarantine away from the rest of the family.
