Pakistan’s tally more than triples in 24 hours as Sindh reports 115 new coronavirus cases
KP reports 15 cases in one go
Statesman Report
PESHAWAR/ KARACHI: Provincial authorities in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday confirmed 115 and 15 new cases of novel coronavirus respectively, pushing the total number of confirmed cases in Pakistan to 183.
This is the single largest increase in novel coronavirus cases in the country as of Monday.
“This exponential increase is largely due to the recent inflow of pilgrims brought in from Taftan border after a purported quarantine,” Adviser to Sindh CM on Information Murtaza Wahab said in a tweet.
Earlier, Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho said there are 76 confirmed cases in Sukkur (all patients arrive from Taftan border), 26 in Karachi and one in Hyderabad, she confirmed.
Murtaza Wahab, earlier in the day, had said another 11 people who have reached the province from Taftan have tested positive.
However, confusion remains as there is no provincial focal person to give a tally of confirmed cases in Sindh. The number of total cases may be revised as facts become clearer.
Meanwhile, the KP province also reported its first 15 cases of novel coronavirus on Monday.
“Just received news that 15 of 19 individuals received in KP from Taftan have tested positive for Coronavirus. These are the first positive cases in KP,” said provincial Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra in a tweet from his official handle.
“They are being well looked after in quarantine in an isolated facility in DI Khan. More details soon,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the KP government rubbished rumours of Pakistan’s first novel coronavirus death in Peshawar.
Taimur Khan Jhagra clarified that a suspected patient had passed away while authorities awaited results. “His blood tested negative for COVID-19.”
Jhagra had addressed the rumours in a tweet, saying that a patient had passed away in Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar. “He was a suspected case. He was dealt with as per protocols. His test results are awaited. We will keep everyone posted.”
Pakistan on Monday recorded its biggest single-day spike in coronavirus infections, taking the tally to 136, amid reports of ineffective quarantine procedures many of those are reported to be among those who had been held at a quarantine camp at the country’s Taftan border crossing with Iran.
However, as per the government data, no deaths due to the coronavirus have been recorded.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also chaired a meeting of the country’s national coordination committee on COVID-19. No major announcements were made following the meeting.