Pakistan's coronavirus cases rise to 53: Dr Zafar Mirza
He said that the country's diagnostic capacity has been ramped up
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has confirmed that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 53.
In his latest tweet, 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 further said that the country s diagnostic capacity has been ramped up and now 13 labs can carry out screening tests for COVID-19.
The special assistant also said the government has taken security measurements on borders of the country to prevent spreading of corona virus.
He said masses should not get panic and feel scared of the disease and adopt safety measures.
He further informed that federal government has initiated different special programs to speed up awareness campaign about the disease.
“People must adopt hygiene and cleanliness, the best way to stay safe from Coronavirus is to prevent it by following the instructions given by public health department,” he said.
Earlier, Sindh government had reported 13 new cases of novel coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in Sindh to 34.
Sindh government spokesperson Mutaza Wahab took to the twitter to make the announcement saying, “So far 13 people have tested positive of #COVID-19 from amongst the people who arrived in Sukkur from Taaftaan. These people were purportedly kept in quarantine at the border.”
So far 13 people have tested positive of #COVID-19 from amongst the people who arrived in Sukkur from Taaftaan. These people were purportedly kept in quarantine at the border
— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 15, 2020
The total number of confirmed cases in Sindh now stands at 34.
Earlier today, 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.
The new cases brought the total number of confirmed cases in the Sindh province to 21, while the remaining cases were reported from the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, southwestern Balochistan province and capital Islamabad.
Sindh CM rebuffs rumors of lockdown
Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah had rebuffed rumors about lockdown in Sindh due to coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, the CM said that some elements are doing propaganda to gather the ration, however, there is no reality in the news that the province is being put on lockdown.
CM Murad further assured to launch action under cyber-crime act against those spreading panic among the people.
Earlier, Murad Ali Shah had instructed to form quarantine centers in all provincial districts for coronavirus patients and directed to conduct immediate tests of all pilgrims who reached Sukkur from Quetta.
Murad Ali Shah said, “289 pilgrims have reached Sukkur by now and further 853 are about to arrive, therefore, we should remain prepared.”
Trained doctors and staff have been appointed in Sukkur, he stressed.
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.
