ISLAMABAD: 892 known cases of the novel coronavirus infections all over Pakistan have been reported so far by Dr Zahar Mirza, Special Assistant to PM on Health.
Of these 37 per cent are women and the remaining 63 per cent are men, said Dr Mirza, adding that during last 24 hours, 89 patients have tested positive for the virus. Dr Mirza was addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Dr Mirza said that there are a total of 7,736 suspected cases of COVID-19 including the 1,262 suspected cases reported in the last 24 hours. He even gave a province-wise breakdown of the figures: Islamabad 15, Punjab 249, Sindh 399, Balochistan 110, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 38, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 1 and Gilgit-Baltistan 80.
Of the 392 confirmed cases, 78 per cent are people who have had a travel history from Iran, the special assistant said, adding that more than 3,000 people have been quarantined.
The national health policy to curb the spread of the virus is social distancing, he said. “All provinces, in their respective capacities, should reduce social gatherings as much as they can,” Dr Mirza emphasized.
He said that this was the only way they could contain the spread of the virus. According to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s orders, everything except essential shops and services should be strictly closed down and people should stay at home, Dr Mirza said.
“The National Disaster Management Authority is our lead agency during this pandemic,” he said. Everything that the health ministry needs from personal protective equipment for doctors to masks is provided by the agency, he explained.
The agency has, therefore, become a focal point for all those who want to donate equipment to Pakistan to fight the pandemic. “I want to thank all Pakistanis, both here and overseas, for their donations,” Dr Mirza remarked.
He said that a website will soon be launched where all these donations could be made. “In a few days, we will also launch a training program for doctors, nurses and paramedic staff treating coronavirus patients,” Dr Mirza announced.
We will not only equip the people with safety gears but will also train them, he said. Similarly, a voluntary program on a national level is also being prepared. “We will share the details with you as soon as it’s prepared,” Dr Mirza added.
