105 Pakistanis repatriated from Dubai test positive for COVID-19

More than 100 Pakistanis repatriated from Dubai tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq on Monday.

The passengers were brought from Dubai on April 28 via an Etihad Airways flight. The plane was carrying a total of 209 passengers. The travellers were initially moved to the quarantine facility at the Fatima Jinnah Women University.

Speaking to DawnNewsTV, Haq said that those who tested positive were sent to the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) while 79 others who tested negative were allowed to go home with directions to self-isolate.

The matter has caused enough alarm with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf taking the matter up with UAE authorities.

The government has been running a repatriation operation through the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other airlines to bring home Pakistanis stranded in other countries.

The development comes days after 190 passengers who were brought to Karachi through special flights from Dubai, Sharjah and Colombo tested positive for the virus.