Virologist Gita Ramjee dies of coronavirus. She was an HIV prevention expert

She fought viruses. She fought the toughest of them all thus far, HIV. Gita Ramjee, world-renowned virologist died after contracting COVID-19, on her return from London. She becomes the first Indian-origin South African to have died after get the novel coronavirus that has killed five people in South Africa. After her recent return from London, she apparently did not show any symptoms.

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Gita Ramjee was a brilliant vaccine scientist and an HIV prevention research leader. Recently she had received accolades and awards for her work with viruses.

Virologist Gita Ramjee dies of coronavirus. She was a HIV prevention expert

Ramjee, 50 was the Clinical Trials Unit Principal Investigator and Unit Director of the HIV Prevention Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). She was based in Durban and had many talks and discussions around the world for which she often travelled.

"We are deeply saddened to inform you of the tragic passing of Prof Gita Ramjee in hospital today," said a statement issued by SAMRC President and CEO Glenda Gray.

In 2018, Ramjee was presented with the Outstanding Female Scientist Award by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP) for her lifetime commitment to finding new HIV prevention methods, which are conducive to the lifestyles, circumstances and perceived risk factors that South African.

Gita Ramjee: COVID-19 claims the life of SA scientist and HIV researcher

According to many institutions, "Dr Ramjee has contributed substantially to advancing HIV prevention science among women in South Africa and is considered a critical player in the field of HIV prevention clinical trials." In her growing up days, she studied at the university of Sunderland. She was the former director of the medical research council.

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Professor Gita Ramjee is a towering HIV prevention research leader whose work continues to contribute immensely to the global response to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic," Gray noted of her contributions.