Coronavirus pandemic: Death rate in Pakistan much lower than feared, says PM

• Imran says as compared to our expectations, less coronavirus cases were reported till April 30 (today).
• The corona situation in the country is far more better than other states where the disease has claimed thousands of lives: PM.
• Prime minister announces that government will donate Rs4 for every Rs1 that people will give in the corona relief fund.

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that death rate in Pakistan is much lower than feared after the coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing media on coronavirus situation in the country on Thursday, the PM said that as compared to our expectations, less coronavirus cases were reported till April 30 (today). He added that the corona situation in the country is far more better than other states where the disease has claimed thousands of lives.

"We thought our ICUs will not have enough space to treat patients but it is not the case."

The prime minister said that the government will donate Rs4 for every Rs1 that people will give in the corona relief fund.  "The fund would be used to help those who have lost their jobs because of the lockdowns enforced to contain the spread of the virus," he stated.

He said that under the Ehsaas programme, Sindh has been provided the maximum funds to facilitate the deserving and poor people. He said the government has distributed Rs81 billion among 6.6 million families affected by the lockdown.

He pointed out that the government is concerned and understands the difficulties of overseas Pakistanis.

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Minister Asad Umar said at least 21 to 22 people die due to the virus on a daily basis and the death rate is expected to increase in coming days.

He added that the government is devising strategies keeping in view the situation of the country with regards to the coronavirus. "An increase in death rate has been witnessed but the situation is still under control," Umar stated.

He said that the trend in Pakistan is different from European countries so the government is working on its own modelling. He said that lifting lockdown and restrictions after May 9 will depend on whether people are following social distancing measures or not.

Special Assistant to PM on Health Zafar Mirza said that one million people got themselves registered in Tiger Force and of them 17,000 belong to the medical field.

He highlighted that so far, 346 people have died of the deadly disease across the country.

He said the government will launch a programme for protection of medical staff working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. "Pakistan is producing its own personal protective equipment (PPE) but it had been observed that PPE is not being used rationally in some places. We will train medics on the proper use of PPE."