Coronavirus cases in Pakistan jump to 93

KARACHI: The number of patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Sindh province has soared to 76, taking the overall national tally to 93.

According to health officials, four tested positive in Islamabad, five in Gilgit Baltistan, 25 in Karachi, one in Hyderabad, seven in Taftan, 50 in Sukkur, one in Quetta and one in Lahore.

In a tweet, Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab said: “50 people who had arrived in Sukkur from Taftaan have tested positive for the virus. So the total patients have reached 76 in Sindh.”

Out of these 76 patients, only two have recovered while 74 are being kept in isolation, he added.

Prime Minister aide on health Dr Zafar Mirza said, “We’ve increased our diagnostic capacity, and are now able to carry out #coronavirus test in 13 labs across the country.”

He also asserted that the government has taken security measures on borders of the country to prevent spreading of coronavirus. Masses should not get panic and feel scared of the disease and adopt precautions, he advised.

https://twitter.com/SindhHealthDpt/status/1239429346005221377?s=20

More results have come in. So far 50 people who had arrived in Sukkur from Taftaan have tested positive, 25 at Karachi & 1 at Hyderabad. So the total patients have reached 76 in Sindh. Out of these 76 patients, 2 have recovered & the remaining 74 are being kept in isolation

— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 16, 2020
Earlier, Pakistan had confirmed four new cases of the novel coronavirus. According to the Health Ministry of southern Sindh province, three patients who tested positive recently returned from Saudi Arabia.

“Sindh Health Department has 4 new cases of Corona Virus in Karachi. 3 patients returned from Saudi Arab a few days back & were tested positive today & 1 patient has no recent travel history,” the provincial ministry said on Twitter.