• Islamabad puts confirmed cases at 94, but with Sindh’s figure tally tops 183
• 14 labs designated for virus testing

ISLAMABAD: As the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan started to spread its tentacles in further regions of the country on Monday, central and provincial authorities appeared to be embroiled in a war over how many people have so far tested positive.

While Special Assistant to the PM Dr Zafar Mirza put the countrywide number of confirmed cases at 94, Sindh alone came up with the staggering figure of 150 of its own.

As if this wasn’t enough, the hitherto green zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fell into red with no less 15 cases in just one day.

Along with 10 cases of Balochistan, five from Gilgit-Baltistan, two from Islamabad and one from Punjab, the total has hit 183 with scores of suspected patients sitting with their fingers crossed as they anxiously wait for lab results.

Refuting rumours that a number of persons died from COVID-19 in Pakistan, Dr Mirza confirmed that 42 new cases had been reported from across the country taking the tally to 94.

He said all the decisions of the National Security Committee had been implemented by the provinces and that Prime Minister Imran Khan had been personally overseeing the situation and soon he would address the nation on the matter.

The SAPM was speaking to reporters on the occasion of launch of command and control centre for COVID-19, at the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS).

“Because of the centre it will become possible for the masses and media to get latest information about the cases and avoid getting panicked,” he said.

He said most cases were confirmed among pilgrims who returned from Iran, adding that it was the main reason for sudden upsurge in cases.

“However there is no need to get into a panic over the issue as virus has reached around 150 countries and infected 172,000 people, out of them 78,000 have completely recovered. It is observed that 97 to 98 per cent of the patients get fully recovered. We have decided to put the pilgrims, coming from Taftan, in quarantine for 14 days and after that they would be sent to their respective provinces. On

the other hand, provinces have also decided to put these pilgrims again in quarantine before allowing them to go to their homes,” he said.

“Pilgrims from Sindh were kept in Sukkur and a number of cases were confirmed there due to which the number reached 94,” he pointed out.

Dr Mirza said overall 961 suspects were tested and 289 suspects were admitted to hospitals.

“Pakistan is among those few countries which got the capability to test virus. Currently 14 labs, across the country, have been providing diagnostic facility and tests are free. However, if everyone having flu would be tested we will face shortage of testing kits. Those who have come from abroad, and having symptoms of virus, should stay at homes and contact at 1166 because team of health department would visit them at their residences,” he said.

In reply to a question, the SAPM said most laboratories were doing some other tests, rather than for COVID-19, and minting money.

“We have also deputed Rangers at three airports to improve the screening. Chief Ministers have deputed focal persons due to which reporting will improve but data issued by me should be considered as national data,” he said.

To a question regarding unavailability of masks, he said N-95 masks should only be given to the staff deputed in isolation wards.

Media was informed that there were 14 COVID-19 testing labs across the country i.e. National Institute of Health Islamabad, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi, Punjab AIDS lab Lahore, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Lahore, Nishtar Medical College Multan, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Civil Hospital Karachi, Ojha Institute Karachi, Indus Hospital Karachi, Public Health Laboratory Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Fatima Jinnah Hospital Quetta, Mobile Diagnostic Unit Taftan, Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences Muzaffarabad and District Head Quarters Hospital Gilgit.

Meanwhile, KP confirmed 15 cases of coronavirus first time since the emergence of the infection.

Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Dr Ansar Maxood, while talking to Dawn, said that as many as five confirmed cases and three suspects were admitted to the hospital.

While talking about a woman who had came from abroad to attend a marriage ceremony but confirmed with virus, he said she was still on the ventilator.

A delegation of head of departments of Pims on Monday, during a meeting with Dr Maxood, suggested closing the out-patient department (OPD) to avoid chances of spread of coronavirus. However, they did not get a positive response from the management.

Chairman Young Consultants Association Dr Asfandyar Khan said every day over 10,000 patients and around 30,000 relatives of patients visited the hospital.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2020