Coronavirus: SOPs shared with provinces: SAPM

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Zafar Mirza said on Monday that there is not a single confirmed case of coronavirus in Pakistan. While addressing a press conference along with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, Dr Zafar said that all the arrangements to diagnose the disease through screening at the airports across the country have been completed.

The special assistant said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding prevention and treatment of the virus have also been shared with the provinces. Pakistan has acquired medical kits that perform specific diagnosis for the coronavirus, he added.

Seven people were under observation for the virus across Pakistan and tests have been conducted and the good news is that all of them tested negative, said Dr Mirza.

The SAPM said that the government has reviewed the situation in the provinces and will work upon measures to be taken within 24 hours. The treatment for coronavirus has not been discovered yet; however, the patients affected from this virus start recovering with improvement in their immune system, he said.

He said that none of Pakistani will be allowed to leave China without spending a 14-day disease-free period. "We have made all the arrangements at the airports for proper screening of the passengers coming from China and are collecting their health forms. Those completing their incubation period of 14 days are being allowed to board the plane from China," he said.

Dr Mirza said that flight operations from China were suspended temporarily due to the New Year celebrations in the first week of February.

"As flights from China to Pakistan resumed from today (Monday), I was personally present with my teams at the airport to receive the passengers and not a single suspected case was found out," he noted.

The Chinese ambassador also addressed media, expressing gratitude towards the Pakistani government for standing beside China in the time of need. He said the Chinese government is paying full attention to the necessities of Pakistanis living there.

He revealed that around 371 patients died of coronavirus in China while 500 patients recovered from this infection. He said the Chinese government has cancelled all the ceremonies and imposed public health emergency, adding all-out efforts are afoot to control the outbreak of the virus.

He said the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged China's efforts towards controlling the virus and the Chinese government is doing its best to inform the world about its efforts to cope with this challenge.

Twelve Chinese nationals arrived in Pakistan including four businessmen on Monday and they were permitted to arrive in Pakistan after strict monitoring, he added.

He also acknowledged the letter written to the Chinese President by Prime Minister Imran Khan for offering support and thanked the Pakistani government for extending support to China.

"We cannot recommend travel restrictions due to coronavirus as far as Pakistan is concerned," the ambassador said. The Chinese government has the competency, capability and determination to overcome this challenge, the ambassador said.