Lockdown in province will be more intense, warns Sindh CM

• Murad says at least 10% results of total corona tests conducted have turned out to be positive.
• So far, 1,668 known coronavirus cases have been reported across the province while 41 people have died: CM.
• Murad says number of deaths could be higher but we don’t have them on record as many families are burying their dead without informing the authorities.

(Karachi) Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that the lockdown in the province will be more intense during the next 14 days. He urged the public to follow restrictions in a bid to curb spread of coronavirus.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, he said the lockdown has been extended as fight against the deadly disease is not over yet.

“If anyone thinks that the infection in Pakistan is less intense than other countries, then they are wrong.”

Murad said the federal government has extended the lockdown till the end of April, but allowed certain businesses to resume operations after following SOPs.

He said such businesses will provide transport to their employees and will strictly follow social distancing.

He said Sindh government will submit a response in the Supreme Court in writing in order to explain the administration's position on the steps taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. He admitted that sealing of 11 UCs in Karachi was a hasty step but it was "not wrong".

He highlighted that so far, 1,668 known coronavirus cases have been reported across the province while 41 people have died. The mortality rate in Sindh is 2.4 per cent, he stated. In addition, the CM said 133 patients have recovered from the virus while six patients have died in the last 24 hours.

He said the virus is spreading at a fast pace in the country and the number of deaths could be higher but we don’t have them on record as many families are burying their dead without informing the authorities.

Regarding Tablighi Jamaat members, he said around 5,000 of them are being kept in isolation in Sindh and they’ll be sent home after a week once their tests are conducted.

“Those Jamaat members who test negative will be sent back to their homes and their respective deputy commissioners will be provided their whereabouts so they could keep an on them.

Shah has said that the government will try to reach an agreement with religious scholars over holding prayer congregations in mosques.

He pointed out that even now, mosques were open and prayers were being held but with restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather.