Government confirms first two coronavirus cases in Pakistan
At least two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Pakistan, confirmed on Wednesday night by Dr Zafar Mirza, the special assistant to health for Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“Both cases are treated in accordance with standard clinical protocols and both are stable,” Dr. Mirza said in a tweet. He asked people not to panic, saying it is under control.
Earlier, a patient was diagnosed with coronavirus in Karachi, confirmed by the Sindh health department.
The 22-year-old man has been diagnosed with it in Karachi according to health officials. The patient had just moved from Karachi to Iran. Aga Khan University Hospital has kept the man and his family in quarantine.
The health department said the patient was on an aircraft traveling to Karachi from Iran. The government will look into all passengers traveling with him.
More than 140 people in Iran have been infected by the deadly virus and claimed 19 lives so far.
Around 270 people, including pilgrims, have been isolated and placed under quarantine for two weeks in the Pakistan House of Taftan, returning from Iran. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said all possible protective measures are being taken at the Taftan border.
Sindh information minister Nasir Hussain said the government has established isolation wards to deal with possible coronavirus outbreaks. The minister said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has contacted Pakistan’s Chinese ambassador and sought equipment to treat the patients.
Dr Mirza held a press conference shortly after confirmation of the two cases. He told reporters in Balochistan that one case had been reported from Sindh, and the other from a “federal” region.
The Premier has instructed the health officials to provide daily updates to the media.
“You will be informed of the current situation daily,” he said, adding that the government will not hide information.
He urged the media not to “sensationalize” the situation unnecessarily. “Don’t scan for the patients,” he said.
Dr Mirza said that at least 100 individuals were also tested, and all were found to be negative.
