Pak confirms first two cases of coronavirus; educational inst in Sindh & Balochistan closed

After two persons returning from Iran tested positive for dely coronavirus in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, all educational institutions in Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been closed.

On Wednesday, a young man tested positive for vel coronavirus in Karachi — first confirmed case in Pakistan. Shortly after, ar case was confirmed and both have returned from Iran, Special visor on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said.

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani anunced on Twitter that "all Govt and private educational institutions will remain closed on Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb)."

Balochistan government anunced to close down all educational institutions across province till March 15.

An official handout said government took step "as a precaution to protect children from coronavirus."

"I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of m are stable. need to panic, things are under control," Mirza tweeted on Wednesday.

"If you or somebody you kw have recently returned from China, Iran or a country where #COVIDー19 is prevalent and if re are symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, please report by calling at 1166," he was quoted by Dawn news on Thursday.

Mirza in a late night media interaction in Quetta, capital of Balochistan, said that both patients came from Iran but y were in stable condition.

Pakistan has closed its border with Iran where at least 19 people have died from virus.

He said government h taken effective protective measures well in time to stop outbreak of virus in Pakistan.

He urged citizens with travel history of Iran and China and having coronavirus symptoms to contact medical experts.

Meanwhile, re are reports of short of masks which are considered as basic precautionary measure to protect one against coronavirus.

Authorities have asked people t to panic as re was threat of spre of disease in country. 

Im Credits: AP