TAXILA: The district authorities in Attock have initiated screening of all pilgrims who recently returned from Iran after pilgrimage to check novel corona­virus symptoms among them.

“As many as 73 pilgrims recently returned to Attock from Iran. As the neighbouring country is one of the countries of the world hit by novel coronavirus and some deaths have also been reported, the district administration, in collaboration with health authorities, have initiated screening of them for possible presence of the virus among them,” said Attock Assistant Commissioner Jannat Hussain Nekokara while talking to reporters.

Earlier, 45-year-old Fayiza Begum who recently returned from Iran after offering pilgrimage was quarantined and admitted to the tehsil headquarters hospital’s isolation ward on Wednesday on suspicion of having been infected by coronavirus .

She was later discharged from the hospital after her tests were found “negative”.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Director General of Health, Dr Haroon Jeha­ngir, along with Rawalpindi Division Director of Health Dr Sagheer and other health officials visited the tehsil headquarters hospital, Fatehjang, and inspected the screening and other measures taken by the hospital to prevent spread of coronavirus in the area.

Recently, Pakistan recorded its first two cases of coronavirus — one in Karachi and the other in Islamabad.

The patients recently returned from Iran after performing Ziarat.

Ms Nekokara said that on special directives of Attock Deputy Commis­sioner Ali Anan Qamar, special camps would be set up in the main Imambargah of Attock where health experts would carry out screening of 73 pilgrims who recently returned from Iran .

She said that the purpose of this exercise was to ensure the safety of pilgrims and other people. She expressed the hope that people would cooperate with the government in this context.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2020