Preah Sihanouk provincial Department of Health official Im Srey Ni – who was serving at the provincial referral hospital – passed away on August 29 at the age of 28 due to Covid-19, according to a letter of condolences from health minister Mam Bun Heng.

"The death of Im Srey Ni means the loss of a frontline healthcare worker who sacrificed her physical and mental strength to provide treatment and care for Covid-19 patients,” Bun Heng said.

A health ministry spokesperson could not be reached for comment on August 30.

But according to local media reports, Srey Ni was initially treated at the provincial referral hospital when she contracted the virus. Due to the severity of her illness and complications related to liver disease, she was later transferred to the Premiere Center Sen Sok treatment facility where she succumbed to the disease two days later.

Pich Chanmony, deputy chair of the board of the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA), also offered her condolences, saying her death represented a sacrifice for the nation.

Provincial health department director Lim Samean declined to comment.

Provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearom did not provide details of Srey Ni’s death, citing privacy concerns.

“Im Srey Ni sacrificed her life to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients in Preah Sihanouk province. We can only offer our condolences to her family. This is a sad loss for all of Cambodia,” he said.