Pakistan says coronavirus outbreak under control as cases rise to 1,526

Pakistan's top health official claimed on Sunday that situation was under control as number of confirmed coronavirus cases in country was still limited to 1,526, even as authorities stepped up efforts to contain fast-spreading deadly viral infection.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Health Dr Zafar Mirza told media at daily press briefing that due to effective measures by government, virus outbreak was under control in Pakistan.

However, he said that 1,106 suspected cases were added during last 24 hours, taking total number of such cases to 13,324.

"Only 121 cases were tested positive during last 24 hours, and w total confirmed cases are 1,526,” he said.

He said 558 cases were reported in Punjab, 481 in Sindh, 188 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 138 in Balochistan, 116 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 43 in Islamabad and 2 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Mirza said that 857 out of 1,526 COVID-19 patients were pilgrims who came from virus-hit Iran, while 191 patients came back from or countries and rest were local transmissions.

He said that so far 13 people have died, 28 recovered and 11 were in critical conditions. “Two more patients died in last 24 hours,” he added.

Mirza said that 8,066 people were living in quarantine centres and already 4,365 had undergone mandatory test. “Out of m, 869 have been tested positive,” he said.

He said that out of confirmed patients, only 756 were in hospitals and rest of m were recuperating at home. He said that out of those hospital, overwhelming 745 were stable and recovering, while 11 were critical and some on m on ventilators.

As confirmed cases remained low, experts fear that actual infected number might be higher than those so far tested positive.

“I think actual number should be higher,” said Dr Att ur Rehman, a rewned Pakistan scientist.

Earlier, Mirza said that “re is t a single case [in Pakistan] with a travel history of China. This is remarkable if you think about it.”

"This could happen only because of coordination between Pakistan and China's government and as a result of which it was decided t to let Chinese citizens travel before a 14-day period," he said in a statement.

He said decision to keep Pakistani students in Wuhan despite domestic pressure proved right.

On Sunday morning, number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan reached 1,500, even as officials were enforcing measures to flatten curve..

As number rose, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired National Core Committee on coronavirus and decided to reopen all highways in country to facilitate movement of goods.

Separately, Prime Minister Khan sent messs to British Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Jonson wishing m speedy recovery. two were tested coronavirus positive recently.

“I wish HRH Prince Charles @ClarenceHouse and PM @BorisJohnson speedy recovery, good health and long life. This deadly virus #COVID19 has hit people beyond borders,” he said.

Khan also said that “we need an internationally coordinated response to counter it.”

Radio Pakistan reported that ar special plane of China carrying medical supplies arrived in Islamabad this morning.

National Disaster Manment Authority Chairman Lt Ge Muhammad Afzal received supplies from Ambassador of China to Pakistan at airport.

On Saturday, a special plane from China carrying a team of eight medical experts and relief assistance landed here to help Pakistan to combat spread of vel coronavirus.

A special flight bringing stranded Pakistani from Bangkok was allowed to land in Islamabad. All passengers were taken to an isolation center where y will be tested.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that provincial government has increased pace of testing to identify more coronavirus patients. "So far 13,380 people have been tested for #COVID19 in Punjab," he tweeted.

Pakistan government also decided to keep its western borders with Iran and Afghanistan and eastern border with India closed for two more weeks due to coronavirus pandemic.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf on Saturday said move was taken in wake of increasing COVID-19 cases in country.

He also anunced that all flights will remain suspended in country till April 4. However, re will be exceptions if a country makes a special request to repatriate its citizens.