Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Monday, while urging the people not to panic, confirmed 94 coronavirus positive cases in Pakistan. While addressing a press conference here, he said that people should not panic and instead focus on the positive aspect of the situation that was 97 to 98 percent of the people infected with the coronavirus recover.
Dr Mirza said that the number of affected persons rose to 94 as some pilgrims who had gone to Taftan from Sukkur were tested positive. He said that pilgrims from Taftan were quarantined after which they were sent back to their respective provinces through a systematic process.
Mirza also said that the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulation had launched a website on the coranavirus situation in the country. Mirza said that the provinces, taking a wise decision, decided to conduct tests of the pilgrims again.
"During the retests, positive cases of the coronavirus were received," he said.
Mirza assured people that the government was keeping a keen eye on the issue, and was taking effective steps to contain the virus.
Dr Mirza said that the Health Ministry had sought the help of Rangers who would assist in the screening process at three airports in the country. He praised screening methods in the country but said that there was always the possibility of a person escaping the screening process.
"Normally, when you have passengers from two to three international flights, a rush ensues and some people escape the process," he said. The prime minister's aide revealed that 14 laboratories throughout the country were testing for the coronavirus.
"We were among the first countries in the world who got the coronavirus testing kits. This helped us a lot," he said. He said that people who suffered from common cold should not get themselves tested. "This testing is not meant for us to get our doubts cleared as to whether we have the virus or not," he said.
"If we were to test everyone who sneezed or coughed, our kits will be exhausted."
Mirza said that those who recently came from abroad should be tested for the virus. "However, if you have returned from abroad and if you're suffering from fever, coughing or are having difficulty in breathing, then you need to get tested," he said.
Mirza said that those people whose relatives went abroad and they showed symptoms of coughing, fever or difficulty in breathing then they should also get tested as they might have come into contact with them.
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