GUJRAT: An expatriate Pakistani who returned from Spain has tested positive for coronavirus, says Gujrat deputy commissioner Dr Khurram Shahzad.

He said three suspected patients -- two from Spain and one from Italy -- were brought to the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital on Monday and their samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH). One of them coming from Spain tested positive.

The local authorities cordoned off the area where he lived and his all contacts, including his family members, would also be be kept in the quarantine at least for 14 days.

Meanwhile, the academic block of Nawaz Sharif Medical College (NSMC) adjacent to the Hafiz Hayat campus of University of Gujrat (UoG) has been declared as a quarantine facility with 100 beds. Meanwhile, public parks and shrines across the district have been sealed.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2020