First death of 'suspected coronavirus' partient reported in Pakistan, Punjab Chief Minister denies it
The country has seen sudden surge in number of cases as the total tally rises to 236
Duabi: Pakistan government has clarified that the person who died of 'suspected coronavirus' at the Mayo Hospital was tested negative.
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, an patient who was under treatment at an hospital in Lahore, Punjab and he died because of 'suspected' coronavirus infection.
According to the Punjab Health Ministry, the patient had recently returned from Iran was brought in a critical condition to Mayo hospital on Monday night.
However, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that the cause of death for an individual who passed away at Mayo Hospital in Lahore was not coronavirus.
The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 236 as 51 new cases have been reported in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces on Tuesday evening.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, from his official Twitter handle announced 18 fresh cases in the province.
“On the basis of test reports, of suspected patients, I can confirm that the number of confirmed #coronavirus patients is now 26,” he wrote. .
Coronavirus is now fast spreading in Pakistan as the country reported around 180 new cases on Monday and Tuesday bringing the total tally to 236 on Tuesday.
Sindh province has been the worst-hit so far with 172 total number of confirmed coronavirus cases. Sukkar, a small city in Sindh, has recorded most numbe 119 cases. All of them have come back after visiting Iran using the land route through Taftan border. Five new cases of the novel coronavirus emerged in Sindh on Tuesday.
Provincial governments of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have announced to provide free food packages to the families of patients infected with coronavirus.
Murtaza Whab, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Information, tweeted the development on Tuesday morning.
Coronavirus tests at military hospitals
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, as part of the national effort and in line with the decisions of the National Security Committee meeting on March 13, all medical facilities of the armed forces are “operationalised and geared up to meet any eventuality to deal with [the] pandemic”.
COVID-19 testing labs have been established at major military hospitals across the country and a central testing lab has been established at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi.
Additionally, ISPR said that a COVID-19 help desk has been established at each military hospital for fast track handling.
“Armed Forces of Pakistan are fully involved in assisting the government and provincial administrations to tackle the situation since the outbreak and duly vigilant of the developing situation post COVID-19.
“COAS has directed all commanders to take maximum necessary measures to assist civil administration for safety and well being of the people of Pakistan,” the statement concluded.