KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday said that eight more patients of coronavirus lost their lives overnight and 298 new cases emerged when 9,754 samples were tested taking the tally to 138,891.

In a statement issued here from CM House, he said that Covid-19 claimed eight more lives lifting the death toll to 2,531 that constituted 1.8 per cent death rate.

The CM added that 369 more patients recovered overnight raising the number of patients recovered so far to 131,831 that came to 95pc recovery rate.

The CM said that 9,754 samples were tested against which 298 new cases were detected that constituted three per cent current detection rate. “So far 1,426,236 tests have been conducted which detected 138,891 cases which came to 10 per cent overall detection rate,” he added.

Murad Ali Shah said that currently 4,529 patients were under treatment, of them 4,250 were in home isolation, six at isolation centres and 273 at different hospitals.

He added that the condition of 182 patients was stated to be critical, including 25 shifted to ventilators.

According to the CM, out of 298 patients 170 were detected in Karachi, including 64 in South, 55 in East, 21 in Central, 13 in Korangi, 12 in Malir and five in West.

He said that Larkana had 24 cases, Kashmore 13, Hyderabad 12, Jamshoro nine, Matiari seven, Dadu, Naushahro Feroze and Sukkur three each, Badin, Qambar, Shikarpur and Tando Allahyar two each, Shaheed Benazirabad had one case.

Precautionary measures stressed

Meanwhile, Administrator of Karachi Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said that the success in combating coronavirus was yet to be achieved and it was still necessary to adopt precautionary measures.

“Covid-19 has done damage across the world but Allah Almighty has saved Pakistan from major blow. We can save ourselves by adopting preventive measures and following standard operating procedures,” he said while visiting free medical camp organised by Helping Hand and Karachi Houston Sister City Association here at Qayyumabad.

Medical check-up was conducted and the people were given free medicines.

The people were also provided rations on the occasion.

He said that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was providing all possible medical facilities to the people at hospitals under administrative control of the KMC.

Thai CG

Consul General of Thailand Thatree Chauvachata called on Mr Shallwani on Tuesday and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The Thai diplomat also offered his country’s support in transport, agriculture and other sectors saying that Karachi was a very beautiful city.

“Thailand would be hosting Pakistani youths for short courses to teach them modern ways for preserving vegetables and fruits,” he added.

Mr Chauvachata assured full support for public transport in Karachi and announced to give books for libraries in the city.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2020