Sindh Health Secretary Zahid Abbasi rejected news reports that a patient under treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital did not have coronavirus, dispelling rumors that the case was a hoax.

He said that after the patient had tested positive for the virus, upon his return from Iran, he was kept in isolation for treatment.

Abbasi said that the tests carried out yesterday were positive, therefore, the patient remains under treatment, adding that only once test results are negative, will he be released. He said that the patient's family had tested negative and his condition was also improving.

The provincial health secretary added that they were providing regular updates on the situation via the media and urged the media to refrain from "irresponsible" coverage of coronavirus.

Media reports had drawn the conclusion that the case had been a hoax as the patient had tested negative in final laboratory reports. Abbasi said there was no authenticity to the Karachi University vice chancellor's statement, quoted in the report.