MINGORA: At least 12,501 of 15,166 expatriates returned to Malakand division were traced with complete history and enlisted properly with the relevant district administration, said Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud.

Briefing journalists at his office on Wednesday regarding preventive measures taken against spread of coronavirus in nine districts of Malakand division, he said that 12,501 of the expatriates were traced while the remaining would be enlisted soon.

He said that administration was prepared to tackle the situation regarding coronavirus outbreak. “About 271 cases have been so far reported in Malakand division, of which 20 have tested positive, 148 are negative while results of 103 persons are awaited,” said Mr Mehsud.

He said that a woman died of coronavirus in the division. He said that 47 isolation wards with the capacity of 1,226 beds were established in Malakand division for the first phase that could be increased.

Official says no coronavirus case reported in Chitral

“At least 65 quarantine facilities having 1420 rooms were also established equipped with all required facilities,” he said. He added that a divisional crisis management cell was working 24 hours led by him while district crisis management cells were also working in all the nine districts. He said that the administration had a meeting with ulema, who endorsed the government’s directives of banning more than five people from offering congregational prayers at mosques.

The official said that there was no coronavirus case so far in Chitral district. To stop spread of the virus to Chitral, Lowari tunnel was closed from where no one was allowed to enter the district, he added.

“Cricketer Ahmad Shahzad was also not allowed to enter Chiltral as he wanted to go there with his family. Presently, the Chitralis staying outside their district are also not allowed to enter the valley. Any resident, who wants to enter Chiltral, must be kept in quarantine for 14 days before entering the valley,” he said.

Mr Mehsud said that the border between Giligit-Baltistan and Chitral was also sealed and no one was allowed to enter to Chitral. He also urged journalists and social media groups to play their role in creating awareness among people about coronavirus and preventive measures against it.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020