Sindh reports 76 corona cases, Pakistan's toll escalates to 94

Number of coronavirus patients in Sindh rises to 76: Murtaza Wahab

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh government Spokesman and Advisor on Law, and Environment Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday has told that the number of coronavirus patients in the province has escalated to 76, taking total toll across the country to 94. In a tweet, the advisor said, “50 people who had arrived in Sukkur from Taftaan have tested positive for the virus. So the total patients have reached 76 in Sindh.” Out of these 76 patients, two have recovered and the remaining 74 are being kept in isolation, he added. On the other hand, training of civil hospitals’ doctors regarding diagnosis and prevention of coronavirus has been completed. A separate laboratory has also been established at Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital for the tests of patients suffering from coronavirus. Earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said, "We’ve increased our diagnostic capacity, and are now able to carry out #coronavirus test in 13 labs across the country." He also asserted that the government has taken security measures on borders of the country to prevent spreading of coronavirus. Masses should not get panic and feel scared of the disease and adopt precautions, he advised.

More results have come in. So far 50 people who had arrived in Sukkur from Taftaan have tested positive, 25 at Karachi & 1 at Hyderabad. So the total patients have reached 76 in Sindh. Out of these 76 patients, 2 have recovered & the remaining 74 are being kept in isolation

— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 16, 2020

Earlier, Pakistan had confirmed four new cases of the novel coronavirus. According to the Health Ministry of southern Sindh province, three patients who tested positive recently returned from Saudi Arabia. "Sindh Health Department has 4 new cases of Corona Virus in Karachi. 3 patients returned from Saudi Arab a few days back & were tested positive today & 1 patient has no recent travel history," the provincial ministry said on Twitter. Meanwhile, the deadly virus that first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year has claimed over 5,000 lives and infected more than 150,000 people across 135 countries and territories.

China remains the hardest-hit with more than 80,000 infections and 3,199 deaths. No death has been reported in Pakistan while two persons have died in India due to the disease. So far, 52 cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan and there are 107 confirmed cases in India.

Afghanistan has reported 11 confirmed cases while Sri Lanka’ tally has risen to 10. Other members - Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan - have reported cases in single digit.

All countries have individually taken measures to prevent spread of virus within their borders.