A Chinese national, who arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA) from Karachi on Sunday, was admitted to an isolation ward of the Services Hospital on suspicion of being infected with coronavirus after his nose begun bleeding, creating panic and fear among the people.
An official said that the Chinese, identified as Yao Deming, reached the Lahore airport via flight PK-316 from Karachi. When the airport staff conducted his medical examination, his nose begun bleeding that terrified the people of being infected with the deadly disease, he added.
Meanwhile, the Chinese was rushed to the isolation ward of the Services Hospital where doctors conducted his through medical check-up. Speaking to the media, Medical Superintendent of Services Hospital Dr Saleem Cheema declared Yao Deming clear as they had not found coronavirus.
"However, we have sent some blood samples of Yao Deming for further tests. Initial examination found him clear. We have discharged him after recording his residential address. If the tests results turned positive, we will admit him again. So far, we have no coronavirus related patient in the hospital," added the MS.
On Sunday, the death toll in China climbed to 304 after authorities reported 45 new deaths. There were 2,590 new confirmed cases in China, bringing the total infected persons to nearly 14,500.
The number of confirmed infections in China is far higher than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak of 2002-03.
On Friday, the civil aviation authority had not only suspended the flights operations to and from China until February 2, 2020 (today) but also decided not to repatriate Pakistani citizens stranded in China in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
A few days ago, the WHO had declared the coronavirus a global emergency as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.
"The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries.
The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.