CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah has said that Sindh hospitals have seen a sharp spike in DOA (dead on arrival) and near-death cases lately, fearing these could potentially be Covid-19 victims. He added that x-rays of these patients revealed condition of lungs that was identical to those at the advance stages of Covid-19.
Talking to a media outlet on the situation, he pointed out that the country’s Covid-19 cases could be underreported because such patients are never tested for coronavirus as they’re either brought in dead or pass away within hours of arrival at hospital.
Shah said that there have been 220 deaths between 31st March and 14th April at Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) alone, all exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms. Out of these patients, 121 were brought in to the hospital dead, while 99 lost their lives hours after arrival.
The Edhi Foundation has also revealed that the number of dead bodies being transported has seen an alarming rise recently. It has transported 400 dead bodies during the past 13 days, a steep increase from the usual 80-100 bodies that the welfare organization transports in a month.
Faisal Edhi, the foundation’s head, has also pointed out an unusual rise in the number of mystery deaths taking place in Islamabad. He said there was a visible difference in the number of fatalities that is growing with each passing day.
Here are the latest updates:
PM to visit three cities of Sindh on Friday: Imran Ismail
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail informed that PM Imran Khan will visit Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad on Friday to monitor the coronavirus situation in Sindh.
PM Khan @ImranKhanPTI to visit Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad on Friday, 17th April in order to monitor Covid 19 Situation in Sindh. CS to brief on Sindh situation. Briefing on Ehsas emergency cash program. He will visit Karachi in next phase.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) April 15, 2020
Abbott launches Covid-19 antibody test to determine old infection
BREAKING: We’re launching a COVID-19 antibody test that can help determine if a person has been previously infected.
We’ll supply 4 million tests in April, ramping up capacity to 20 million in the U.S. per month in June and beyond. Learn more: https://t.co/sxVOVgegMT pic.twitter.com/6xS1LjbaRB
— Abbott (@AbbottNews) April 15, 2020
Stranded Pakistanis being flown back systematically: Moeed Yusuf
SAPM on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yusuf has said that the govt was bringing back stranded Pakistanis from different countries systematically so as not to violate the airport SOPs amid the outbreak.
He said that the SOPs mandated international passengers to undergo the Covid-19 test on arrival at Pakistan airports which, due to the limited availability of testing kits, would not be possible if they came in large numbers.
Moeed added that all Pakistanis arriving from other countries would need to spend time in quarantine. Those who wish to stay at hotels will have to bear their own expenses, he added.
He informed that domestic flight operations would remain suspended, while flights from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan and back would continue to operate.
About the Pakistanis stuck in India, Moeed said that they would be brought back to the country via Wagah Border tomorrow.
SAPM on health Dr Zafar Mirza briefs media on coronavirus situation
#Live: SAPM on Health @zfrmrza briefing media in #Islamabad. https://t.co/fCis6pTIMD
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 15, 2020
AFP busts coronavirus myths
Rumors, myths and misinformation about the novel coronavirus have spread as quickly as the virus itself. AFP Factcheck has been debunking disinformation as it emerges along with new cases across the world.
AFP has busted some of these myths here.
US varsities mull deferring in-person classes by 2021
A number of universities are beginning to consider the possibility that in-person classes may not resume until 2021. https://t.co/Z32a1DAyKA
— CNN (@CNN) April 15, 2020
Lockdowns should be lifted in two-week stages to stem COVID-19 spread: WHO
Countries that ease restrictions imposed to fight the spread of the coronavirus should wait at least two weeks to evaluate the impact of such changes before easing again, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
In its latest Strategy Update, the U.N. agency said that the world stands at a “pivotal juncture” in the pandemic and that “speed, scale, and equity must be our guiding principles” when deciding what measures are necessary.
Every country should implement comprehensive public health measures to maintain a sustainable steady state of low-level or no transmission and prepare its surge capacity to react rapidly to control any spread, the WHO said.
Lockdowns should be lifted in two-week stages to stem COVID-19 spread: WHO https://t.co/CXZC65S4Z5 pic.twitter.com/u0PWe3oLhm
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 15, 2020
SAPM on information Awan addresses news conference
#Live: SAPM on Information @Dr_FirdousPTI and PTI leader @HaleemAdil addressing a news conference in #Islamabad. https://t.co/b0EHevepqk
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 15, 2020
Pharmaceutical company donates medical supplies to Sindh govt
Getz Pharma has donated 15000 rapid anti body testing kits, about 1.9 Million hydroxychloroquine tablets & 1500 personal protective equipment to #SindhGovt. On behalf of the Govt & people of Sindh, my heartfelt appreciation & gratitude to the management of Getz Pharma. Thank you
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) April 15, 2020
U.S. may need to extend social distancing for virus until 2022, study says
The United States may need to endure social distancing measures adopted during the coronavirus outbreak until 2022, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.
The study comes as more than 2,200 people died in the United States from the outbreak on Tuesday, a record, according to a Reuters tally, even as the country debated how to reopen its economy. The overall death toll in the U.S. from the virus stands at more than 28,300 as of Tuesday.
“Intermittent distancing may be required into 2022 unless critical care capacity is increased substantially or a treatment or vaccine becomes available”, the Harvard researchers said in findings published Tuesday in the journal Science.
KP declares 18 public places as sub-jails to reduce chances of ‘virus spread’ among inmates
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declared 18 public places as sub-jails to reduce the chances of virus spread among inmates, according to the notification issued on Wednesday.
Jails in Kohat, Nowshera Swabi, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Malakand are overcrowded, however, new prisoners will not be taken to prisons overcapacity, the notification said.
According to the notification, public cases such as schools, colleges, agriculture, hotels, shelter homes and other public buildings are turned into sub-jails to manage the influx of prisoners in the time of crisis.
While talking to Geo News, Inspector General Prisons KP Masudur Rehman stated that these measures are taken in line with all other preventive measures to curb the spread of virus in prisons.
The jail official also notified that there is no case reported for coronavirus in inmates and other staff members so far.
-Geo.tv
Many People Being Brought To Hospitals In Dead State: Murad Ali Shah
CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah has said that Sindh hospitals have seen a sharp spike in DOA (dead on arrival) cases lately as they’re receiving patients who are already in a dead state. Shah fears that these could potentially be Covid-19 victims.
Talking to a media outlet on the situation, he said that such are the cases that are not being reported and added to the national tally. He pointed out that the condition of lungs of these patients looks very similar to those who die of the novel coronavirus.
According to reports, Edhi transported 400 dead bodies during the past 13 days, a steep rise from the usual 80-100 bodies that the welfare organization transports in a month. Out of these, 220 were moved to Jinnah Hospital alone.
Faisal Edhi, the foundation’s head, has also pointed out an unusual rise in the number of deaths taking place in Islamabad. He said that there was a visible difference in the number of fatalities that is growing with each passing day.
These are the people who were never tested for coronavirus, and hence not included in the provincial or national Covid-19 tally.
Pakistan coronavirus tally crosses 6,000
As provinces continue to report new cases, Pakistan’s Covid-19 tally has surged past 6,000 reading 6,146 as of April 15, 1:30 pm (PKT). Deaths from the virus have reached 113, while recoveries stand at 1,446.
Here’s a breakdown of the infections.
- Punjab: 2,945
- Sindh: 1,668
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 865
- Balochistan: 248
- Gilgit Baltistan: 234
- Islamabad: 140
- Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 46
READ: Should everyone be wearing face masks?
No robust evidence ordinary masks stop wearers getting infected but some experts say they could make a big difference.
Coronavirus: should everyone be wearing face masks? https://t.co/MpriUcsqRZ
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 15, 2020
324 released from Hyderabad quarantine after recovering
As many as 311 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat, who were quarantined in a Hyderabad facility, have been discharged after recovering.
13 other people from the same facility have also headed home after testing negative for the virus completing their quarantine period.
GB govt to unveil SOPs for partial lockdown today
Advisor to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan for Information Shams Mir announced that the government will unveil its schedule for the partial lockdown in the evening.
Mir stated that the government was working on creating SOPs regarding the partial lockdown. He added that a schedule for a partial lockdown during Ramzan can be considered.
-Geo.tv
Sindh reports 6 more deaths, 150 new cases
6 more coronavirus deaths have been reported in Sindh taking its death toll to 41, confirmed Murtaza Wahab.
Moreover, 150 new cases have been registered in the province with its tally now reading 1,668.
The following information is relevant to assess the situation of #COVIDー19 in Sindh as of 15th April at 8 AM:
Total Tests 16026
Positive Cases 1668 (today 150)
Recovered Cases 560
Deaths 41In the last 24 hours, 133 people have recovered from corona in Sindh
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) April 15, 2020
Sindh govt issues SOPs e-commerce delivery services
SOPs for e-commerce delivery. pic.twitter.com/wezMItCywS
— GOS-COVID19 (@19sindh) April 14, 2020
Sindh govt issues SOPs for workplaces & industries allowed to resume operations
The Sindh govt has allowed some industries and businesses to resume operations after center announced easing of lockdown restrictions for low-risk businesses on Tuesday.
The local govt has issued SOPs for these companies/businesses to ensure they resume work safely and do not contribute to the rise of the virus.
Some of the general precautionary measures mandated by the government include:
- No person is allowed in public places without a valid reason
- No more than two people traveling in one car
- All those in public places must wear face masks
- All those suffering from flu-like symptoms must not visit public places
SOPs for Work Places and Industries.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/UIZCbAiNT5— GOS-COVID19 (@19sindh) April 14, 2020
SOPs for Work Places and Industries.
2/2 pic.twitter.com/oneIhJ7Xeq— GOS-COVID19 (@19sindh) April 14, 2020
UAE releases nearly 400 Pakistani prisoners amid COVID-19 outbreak
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released nearly 400 prisoners, jailed for minor offences, following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the backdrop of the prevailing situation following the outbreak of COVID-19, the UAE Government today released nearly 400 Pakistani prisoners in line with the understanding reached between the Governments of Pakistan and the UAE. These prisoners were serving their term in the UAE jails for minor offences,” said a press release issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
The prisoners are being repatriated to Pakistan through two special flights arranged by the UAE government.
Coronavirus: The world in numbers
Follow @Reuters liveblog for the latest developments around the coronavirus outbreak https://t.co/cEBwkoEQ5P pic.twitter.com/WO0GqtxU30
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 15, 2020
Situation Report: 272 new cases, 11 deaths reported in 24 hours
The country saw 272 new cases on April 14th, 2020 with 119 from Punjab, according to latest verified data issued by National Command and Control Center.
A total of 11 patients died during the past 24 hours, with four deaths each from Sindh and Punjab while another three deaths were reported by KPK.
Hospitalizations grew on April 14th to 1,496 in 24 hours up from 1,368 hospitalizations a day ago. 44 are reported to be in critical condition or are on ventilators.
Numbers show that new cases or deaths haven’t spiked exponentially but the curve is still on a rise, indicating that cases aren’t flattening and the peak isn’t in sight yet.
Read the full report here.
Pakistan records 68 more coronavirus recoveries
Another 68 people have recovered from Covid-19 in Pakistan, according to the government’s Covid portal.
This brings the total recoveries in the country to 1,446 so far.
Trump halts World Health Organization funding amid coronavirus pandemic
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would halt funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis.
Trump told a White House news conference the WHO had “failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable.” He said the group had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred.
The United States is the biggest overall donor to the Geneva-based WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget.
The hold on funding was expected. Trump has been increasingly critical of the organization as the global health crisis has continued, and he has reacted angrily to criticism of his administration’s response.
Sindh govt eases some lockdown restrictions in view of NCC decision
Hours after the federal government announced National Coordination Committee’s decision to ease lockdown restrictions across the country, the Sindh government has decided to allow the resumption of certain economic activities, albeit with the condition that they follow precautionary measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
A notification issued to this effect by the Sindh home department late on Tuesday evening reflected some of the relief measures granted to certain industries in line with the NCC’s recommendations.
Punjab reports 4 more deaths, 89 new cases
At least 4 more coronavirus deaths and 89 new cases were reported in Punjab on Tuesday. The new numbers take Punjab’s death toll to 28 and its tally of confirmed cases to 2,945.
Punjab's #COVID19 stats as on 14th April:
Total confirmed cases: 2,945
Non-Quarantined cases: 1,100
DGK & Multan Quarantine:701
Jail prisoners: 89
Members of Tableeghi Jama'ats: 1,055
Deaths: 28
Critical Patients: 9
Recoveries: 508
Tests Conducted: 43,565#PunjabCoronavirusUpdate— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) April 14, 2020
3 more deaths, 65 new cases reported in KP
KP reported three more Covid-19 deaths in Peshawar during the past 24 hours, in addition to 65 new cases of the virus.
The new deaths bring KP’s provincial toll to 38 while its number of confirmed cases has climbed to 865.
Many who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday are members of the Tableeghi Jamaat.
65 new cases confirmed in last 24 hours taking the tally to 865. Majority of the new cases have Tableeghi travel history. 3 more deaths were reported, all from Peshawar, taking the tally to 38. 25 more patients recovered taking the tally to 178 in KP. #KPfightsCorona pic.twitter.com/cVWi9SMcew
— Health Department KP (@HealthKPGovt) April 14, 2020
For our coronavirus coverage from April 14, click here.
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