Pakistan has reported 155 cases of the deadly coronavirus in the last 24 hours after a huge number of the pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive. The number of cases nationwide is now reportedly 189.
Most of the cases, 119, were reported in Sindh, taking the total tally in the province to a staggering 155.
As per Sindh authorities, 106 more pilgrims returning from Taftan and quarantined in the Sukkar facility have tested positive for the virus. This is how the number of Iran-returned cases has gone to 119.
Following is the update of #COVIDー19 affected people in Sindh as of 11 AM on 17.03.2020:
Positive =36
Cured=2
Under treatment =34Zaaireen Sukkur
Total tests conducted 234
Negative 115
Positive 119Grand Total 155
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) March 17, 2020
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Whereas, Karachi, home to over 200 million people, is mainly at risk. In the last 24 hours, eight more cases were reported from the port city. As of now, the total corona-infected patients in Karachi are 30. Meanwhile, another patient is being treated in Hyderabad’s Civil Hospital.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On Monday, 19 Iran-returned pilgrims were tested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Out of these, 15 tested positive and have been shifted to isolation wards. Those testing negative and not showing symptoms are kept in mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
Balochistan
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has also confirmed ten positive cases of coronavirus. Spokesperson to CM Balochistan, Liaqat Shahwani told media that ten pilgrims quarantined at Taftan border tested positive. He added that 2,900 people are present at the facility.
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To a question, he negated the report that people being relieved from Taftan quarantine are testing positive as reported in KP and Sindh. He said, taking a blood sample of Iran-returned pilgrims was not part of their standard procedure.
Our standard operating procedures (SOPs) did not include conducting blood tests of those present in the quarantine earlier and it’s because of this that they were relieved from the camps without tests.
Shahwani said, 500 suspected patients were shifted to the isolation wards.
Other Numbers
So far, the federal capital Islamabad has received four cases of the novel coronavirus, whereas, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) has also reported three cases. Punjab has also reported its first two cases from DG Khan.
Recovered Patients
According to reports so far, 2 patients from Sindh and 1 from Islamabad have recovered from the novel coronavirus and have been discharged from the hospital.
“Whereas, Karachi, home to over 200 million people,” correct this statement.