COVID-19 tightens grip on Pakistan, total number of cases reaches 1296

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March 27, 2020

LAHORE: COVID-19 pandemic tightened grip on Pakistan as the country on Friday has reported nine deaths from novel coronavirus while the total number of cases have surged to 1296 as 440 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 131 in Balochistan, 425 in Punjab, 180 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 91 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 27 in Islamabad and two in Azad Kashmir.

According to details, total number of patients who have recovered is 23.

National Coordination Committee (NCC) under the supervision of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has decided to limit the congregational prayers in mosques.

Following the orders, all the provinces have banned congregational prayers in mosques. The Friday prayers have also been limitized due to COVID-19 as only healthy people will be allowed to offer prayers in the mosques.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia Government, in wake of the spread the novel coronavirus pandemic across the globe, has halted signing of Hajj agreement with Pakistan.

According to a letter received by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Saudi government has stopped Pakistan not to make Hajj 2020 agreement.

The letter further stated that the agreement will not be made until the situation in country gets better.

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Toll of COVID-19 infections jumps to 1102, with eight fatalities

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Our Correspondent

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March 26, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Toll of confirmed infections of coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped to 1,102 on Thursday morning after new cases were reported in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the national dashboard, four new cases were reported in Sindh while Islamabad reported five new cases.

Deaths by the COVID-19 in the country has reached 8, while out of total 1102 infections confirmed by the Health authorities, the figure in Sindh reached to 417, Punjab 323, Balochistan 131, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 121, Islamabad 25, Gilgit Baltistan 84 and Azad Jammu Kashmir one.

Earlier, Balochistan had recorded 12 new cases in the province, taking the provincial tally to 131.

Gilgit Baltistan also reported three new cases in the region late Wednesday night, taking its toll to 84.

The country also reported its eighth death from the virus on Wednesday.

The national dashboard, maintained by the federal ministry of health, did not specify in which province the death has taken place. However, the Rawalpindi district administration said that a woman diagnosed with Covid-19 had passed away from the disease.

The woman had travelled from abroad and been under treatment since March 21. Her body has been returned to her village for her last rites.

Earlier deaths
Earlier, on Tuesday, Punjab had reported its first death from the virus.

On Sunday, Balochistan had reported its first death, a 65-year-old man, who had been under treatment at the Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital.

Earlier, a doctor from Gilgit Baltistan, who had been fighting against the virus on the frontlines, was reported as the fifth casualty.

On Sunday, March 22, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir had announced the country’s fourth death from the virus.

On March 20, Pakistan had recorded its third death from the virus. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had confirmed the death of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient in the province.

Two patients from KP who tested positive for the coronavirus were reported as the country’s first two deaths.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the number of cases in the province stands at 121, while the number of reported cases in Gilgit-Baltistan is 84.

In Punjab, the numbers of positive cases stand at 323.

Sindh remains the worst affected province by the coronavirus in the country so far, with a total of 413 coronavirus cases. In Islamabad, 25 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the virus and one in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

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Number of COVOD-19 infections surges to 1,000 with seven fatalities

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Our Correspondent

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March 25, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Number of confirmed coronavirus infections round the country jumped to 1,000 on Wednesday besides seven fatalities were also confirmed.

According to the national dashboard, the new cases were reported in Balochistan, Sindh, Islamabad and Gilgit Baltistan.

Along side the seven deaths reported in the country more than 1000 confirmed infections were reported that include 413 cases from Sindh, 296 from Punjab, 115 from Balochistan, 78 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 81 from Gilgit Baltistan, 16 from Islamabad Capital Terrotiry and one from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Balochistan government spokesperson confirmed that five new cases were reported in the province, taking the tally to 115.

“The number of confirmed cases in the province now stands at 115 after five new cases were identified in the Taftan quarantine, the spokesperson added.

Three new cases were reported in Sindh, while one new case has been reported each in Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad.

Sindh remains the worst affected province by the coronavirus in the country so far, with a total of 413 coronavirus cases. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the number of cases in the province stands at 78, while the number of reported cases in Gilgit-Baltistan is 81.

In Islamabad, 16 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, in Punjab 296 and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The country has also reported seven deaths from the virus, with Punjab reporting its first death on Tuesday. On Sunday, Balochistan reported its first death, a 65-year-old man, under treatment at the Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital.

Earlier, a doctor from Gilgit Baltistan was reported as the country’s fifth death.

The doctor who screened suspected pilgrims returning to Pakistan from Iran tested positive on Friday, Dr Shah Zaman, a senior member of the Health Department and focal person of GB government for coronavirus, told The News.

On Sunday, March 22, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir announced the country’s fourth death from the virus, while speaking to the media.

Wazir said that the test results of a woman who had arrived from Taftan and shifted to Dera Ismail Khan had come as positive today, making it the province’s third coronavirus related death.

On March 20, Pakistan had recorded its third death from the virus. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had confirmed the death of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient in the province.

Two patients from KP who tested positive for the coronavirus were reported the country’s first deaths.

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Gilgit Baltistan announces recovery of four coronavirus patients

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Our Correspondent

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March 24, 2020

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan government on Tuesday announced recovery of four patients of novel coranavirus in the region.

A spokesperson of the government has announced recovery of four patients from novel coronavirus, two each from Gilgit and Skardu.

Earlier, two patients from Gilgit were recovered at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, government spokesperson added.

It is to be mentioned here that the National Command and Control Centre for the novel coronavirus had announced 81 patients of the disease in Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has surged to 892 after new cases were reported in different parts of the country, the National Command and Control Centre earlier
reported.

Pakistan is reeling under rapidly increasing number of the patients of COVID-19 and provincial governments taking emergency steps including lockdown to control increasing
cases of the deadly disease.

With input from INP

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892 coronavirus cases confirmed in Pakistan: Dr Zafar Mirza

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Our Correspondent

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March 24, 2020

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.

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Toll of COVID-19 patients in Pakistan surge to 519, as Sindh confirms more cases

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Our Correspondent

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March 21, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Toll of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 519 with three fatalitis, by Saturday morning after Sindh reported more positive patients of the virus in the province.

According to province-wise break up of cases on Saturday (March 21) morning, Sindh is topping the list with 267 positive infection were reported while in Punjab 96 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23, Balochistan 92, Islamabad Capital Territory 10, Gilgit-Baltistan 30 and AJK 01. So far three deaths were confirmed two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa an one in Sindh.

Pakistan has so far confirmed three fatalities from the pandemic, with latest casualty being a 77-year-old man in Karachi on Friday (yesterday). The first two deaths were reported in Mardan and Hangu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The death in Karachi was verified by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho. The victim had no travel history and was admitted to a private hospital on Thursday in critical condition. She urge masses to take preventive measures to avoid rise in the toll of patients.

Globally, 185 countries have been affected, more than 10,000 people have died and more than 250,00 infected by the disease as it spreads rapidly to new territories.

The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases every day.

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Universities in Islamabad start online classes for students

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Our Correspondent

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March 20, 2020

ISLAMABAD: The universities in Islamabad have started online education on the direction of Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the wake of global epidemic coronavirus to protect students from the virus.

The online classes have been started after closing of the universities for indefinite period in the wake of the virus.

The rector of COMSATS University, Professor Dr Raheel Qamar informed in this regard that we should adopt the modern technology and the online classes started after considering seriously saving students from losing their precious time due to the virus and with this initiative the future of the students will not effect from the virus.

Dr Raheel Qamar said that all the lectures have been uploaded on the websites besides continuation of the online classes and the students will continue their education from their home.

The professor added that the online test can also be conducted in the given situation.

(With input from INP)

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Two PIA planes escape accident due to glitch in air traffic controller

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Our Correspondent

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March 19, 2020

KARACHI: Two passenger planes of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) narrowly escaped a mid-air collision due to the error caused in the system of air traffic controller on Thursday.

According to Sources, two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft came very close to each other after the error caused in the system of the air traffic controller.

A PIA flight PK-352 was heading towards Islamabad from Karachi, while the other PK-785 flight was moving towards London from Islamabad.

The pilots’ mental alertness averted the impending crash, saving hundreds of lives on board both jets.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) took note of the near-miss and ordered an inquiry.

Earlier in January, two passenger planes narrowly escaped a mid-air collision in the Karachi airspace.

The PIA flight en route from Islamabad to Karachi was at an altitude of 40,000 feet while the foreign airliner on a transit route at a 35,000 feet altitude. The two planes were less than five miles apart, the sources said.

Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System (TACACS) got activated in the PIA Boeing-777 alerting its pilot about the other plane being in close proximity to it. He then descended to 4, 000 feet in no time to avoid a crash.

The source said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) took note of the near-miss and dismissed the on-duty air traffic controller for being remiss.

(With input from INP)

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Republic of Korea donates funds to help Pakistan combat locust outbreak

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Our Correspondent

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March 19, 2020

ISLAMABAD: The Republic of Korea is donating US$200,000 to help the Government of Pakistan respond to the worst locust infestation in more than two decades.

“Sympathizing with Pakistani farmers’ suffering and damages from desert locust, the Korean government has decided to participate in helping Pakistani government’s relief effort.” said Korean Ambassador Mr. Kwak Sung-Kyu. “I hope this support will serve as a good momentum to upgrade bilateral agricultural cooperation between Korea and Pakistan including currently on-going project to establish KOPIA center in Pakistan.”

The contribution will be channeled through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and goes towards supporting smallholder farmers who are most at risk of food shortage due to the crisis.

“Concerted efforts will help address the imminent threat of desert locust to ensure food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture,” said Minà Dowlatchahi, FAO Representative in Pakistan.

“We are grateful for the timely support from the Republic of Korea,” said Chris Kaye, WFP Representative and Country Director. “Our priority is not only to help communities protect their crops and livelihoods, but also build their resilience so that they withstand such shocks better in the future.”

WFP and FAO will work together under the ‘critical support for Desert Locust prevention and control operations in Pakistan’ project to build the capacities of the relevant government departments and local farming communities living in locus-prone and affected areas.

The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Departments of the Plant Protection and Agriculture, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs).

(With input from INP)

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Anti-polio campaign in KP suspended due to coronavirus

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Our Correspondent

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March 19, 2020

PESHAWAR: The ongoing anti-polio campaign has been suspended in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.

According to KP Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordinator, the campaign which was scheduled from March 16 to 20 and its target was to administer polio drops to over 1.3 million children.

It has been learnt that polio drops could be administered to only to 1.188 million children. The anti-polio campaign was continuing in Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi and Mohmand Agency.

The decision has been taken after KP reported Pakistan’s first two deaths from the novel coronavirus on Wednesday. 310 COVID-19 patients have been infected with the disease across the country.

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic as 211 patients have been tested positive for coronavirus in it. 33 cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 23 in Balochistan, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 in Gilgit-Baltistan, eight in Islamabad and one in Azad Kashmir.

(With input from INP)

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