PHOTO: Reuters/FILE
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa authorities has confirmed Pakistan’s first two COVID-19 deaths in Mardan and Peshawar, as whole variety of novel coronavirus infections, with 5 contemporary instances in Punjab, rose to 299 within the nation on Wednesday.
Ok-P CM’s Adviser on Info Ajmal Khan Wazir mentioned the primary deceased, a 50-year-old affected person recognized as Saadat Khan, had arrived from Saudi Arabia on March 9.
The deceased’s coronavirus check, he mentioned, got here constructive yesterday (March 17). He hailed from Manga village, the adviser added.
The second affected person, a 36-year-old man from Hangu, had arrived within the nation from Turkey through Dubai, mentioned Wazir. He was additionally examined constructive yesterday, he added.
Ok-P Well being Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra confirmed the 2 deaths on Twitter.
Unhappy to report one affected person who handed away in Mardan.
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 18, 2020
“Sadly, a second patient in LRH [Lady Reading Hospital] Peshawar, a 36-year-old, from Hangu, has also passed away, from coronavirus,” he wrote in a separate tweet later.
Sadly, a second affected person in LRH Peshawar, a 36 yr previous, from Hangu, has additionally handed away, from the Corona Virus.
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 18, 2020
Jhagra additionally urged the plenty to not bask in social media debates as to which province beat the opposite in coping with the coronavirus instances.
“There will be time to discuss which province beat the other. And to analyse every decision everyone has made. But today, none of that analysis will help the people of Pakistan do what they need to. Stay at home if you can. Protect the elderly. It’s time to show leadership,” he wrote.
2. There shall be time to debate which province beat the opposite. And to analyse each determination everybody has made. However right now, none of that evaluation will assist the individuals of Pakistan do what they should. Keep at dwelling in the event you can. Shield the aged. It is time to present management.
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 18, 2020
Dr Zafar Mirza, the de facto nationwide well being minister, confirmed the primary fatality from his official Twitter deal with.
“With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to #coronavirus. A 50-year-old male from Mardan recently returned from Umra, developed fever, cough & breathing difficulty and tested +ve for corona virus. Contacts are being screened. Our condolences to the family,” he wrote.
With deep remorse I affirm the loss of life of first Pakistani attributable to #coronavirus. A 50 yr previous male from Mardan just lately returned from Umra, developed fever, cough & respiration problem and examined +ve for corona virus. Contacts are being screened. Our condolences to the household. <262>
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) March 18, 2020
Earlier within the day, the Gilgit-Baltistan authorities had retracted report of a suspected coronavirus loss of life.
The lethal pneumonia-like illness, which surfaced in China’s Hubei province late December 2019, has contaminated round 200,000 individuals globally with over practically 8,000 deaths.
The G-B dwelling secretary denied the loss of life report after the federal government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed it, saying the affected person belonged to Bunar space of Diamer district.
It’s to make clear that NO loss of life by Coronovirus in Gilgit-Baltistan until now! @zfrmrza @IDGB_Official @HomeDeptGB @pamirtimes
— Muhammad Ali Randhawa (@RandhawaAli) March 18, 2020
Faraq had mentioned 13 COVID-19 sufferers are at present beneath remedy within the area.
The information got here minutes after the state minister for well being, Dr Zafar Mirza, tweeted that up to now no loss of life has been reported from COVID-19, the respiratory sickness brought on by the novel coronavirus, in Pakistan.
“There is no COVID19 related reported deaths so far in Pakistan. Allhamdolillah,” he wrote on his official Twitter deal with on Wednesday whereas giving updates on the virus scenario in Pakistan.
ICT: 7
Punjab: 9
Sindh: 183
KPK: 19
Bln: 15
AJK: 1
GB: 13
There is no such thing as a COVID19 associated reported deaths up to now in Pak. Allhamdolillah. <260>— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) March 18, 2020
Dr Mirza mentioned there are 247 confirmed COVID-19 instances in Pakistan. In line with a breakup given by him, Sindh has 183 instances, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 19, Balochistan, 15, Gilgit-Baltistan, 13, Punjab, 9, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 7, and AJK, 1.
Nevertheless, in keeping with The Specific Tribune tally, the full variety of COVID-19 instances stands at 294 with 208 instances in Sindh whereas Punjab has 33, Ok-P reported 19, Balochistan has 23, Islamabad two, Gilgit-Baltistan 14 and none in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, in the meantime, confirmed 5 new coronavirus instances within the province, pushing the provincial tally to 33.
“I can confirm that there are 33 confirmed #COVID19 patients in Punjab. 20 Zaireen quarantined in DG Khan tested positive & have been shifted to hosiptal. 6 patients in Lahore, 5 in Multan and 2 in Gujrat are also under treatment. Best possible facilities r being provided to them,” he tweeted.
I can affirm that there are 33 confirmed #COVID19 sufferers in Punjab. 20 Zaireen quarantined in DG Khan examined constructive & have been shifted to hosiptal. 6 sufferers in Lahore, 5 in Multan and a pair of in Gujrat are additionally beneath remedy. Absolute best amenities r being offered to them.
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) March 18, 2020
Spokesperson to Sindh CM Murtaza Wahab confirmed 27 new instances amongst pilgrims returned from Taftan border, elevating the provincial tally to 208.
As of now, he mentioned, there are 151 confirmed instances in Sukkur (all in Taftan- returned pilgrims), 56 in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.
Following is the replace of #COVIDー19 affected individuals in Sindh as on 18.03.20 at 7 PM:
Constructive =57
Cured=2
Below remedy =55Pilgrims Sukkur
Complete checks carried out 302
Damaging 151
Constructive 151Grand Complete 208
— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 18, 2020
No COVID-19 associated loss of life up to now in Pakistan: Dr Mirza
Dr Mirza, in right now’s assertion, mentioned, “The federal govt, the provinces and all stakeholders are working on a war footing for safety & well-being of the people of Pakistan… all resources are mobilised and measures taken for prevention and mitigation.”
A day earlier, the Punjab authorities denied the primary reported fatality of the novel coronavirus in Pakistan and urged individuals to “act responsibility during the testing times”.
“We have received test reports of Imran Ali, who lost his life in Mayo Hospital, and his cause of death was not COVID19. I urge everyone that these are testing times & we should act responsibly..,” Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar mentioned in a tweet from his official deal with.
The loss of life was introduced on an online portal the federal well being ministry launched on Monday to maintain a observe of the unfold of the virus. The deceased affected person was beneath remedy in Lahore.
Authorities in Pakistan have screened over 1,015,900 travellers for the reason that virus was first detected within the nation. A minimum of 20,088 travellers have been screened within the final 24 hours.
Various stats
The various stats paint a dismissal image of coordination between the federal and provincial governments. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s deal with to the nation late Tuesday paid a tribute to the Balochistan authorities and Pakistan Military officers for his or her half in containing the virus on the Taftan border.
Nevertheless, Sindh authorities has come out criticising Centre for lack of foresight in quarantine preparations in Taftan the place over 9,000 pilgrims coming back from Iran had been quarantined by the Balochistan authorities in a ‘tent city’.
After finishing the 14-day incubation interval, the pilgrims have been allowed to journey again to their cities. Nevertheless, Sindh and Ok-P despatched the pilgrims to isolation amenities in Sukkur and Dera Ismail Khan and examined them earlier than permitting additional journey. Up to now 134 pilgrims examined constructive in Sindh and one other 15 in Ok-P.
The federal authorities maintained that well being was a provincial matter beneath the 18th Modification nonetheless Pakistan Peoples Social gathering (PPP) argued that border administration falls beneath Centre’s area.
Preventive measures
In its March 13 Nationwide Safety Committee assembly, Centre fashioned a Novel Coronavirus Core Committee with each day conferences between federal and provincial authorities.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) authorities tasked Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Authority (NDMA) to coordinate with provincial governments and lead the battle towards novel coronavirus.
The federal authorities additionally determined to ban public gatherings, shut all academic establishments till April 5 and cancel Pakistan Day parade on March 23. It additionally sealed borders and restricted worldwide flights operations to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
Nevertheless, the NSC determination on worldwide journey was taken again on Tuesday when the federal government lifted restrictions on all airports besides Gwadar and Turbat.
In Sindh, the Pakistan Peoples Social gathering (PPP) authorities edged in direction of lockdown after it closed all eating places, malls, purchasing centres and imposed Part 144. Solely grocery shops and pharmacies have been allowed to function.
Sindh additionally modified its tutorial yr dates after preponing summer season holidays and shut down all goverment workplaces throughout the province.
Punjab banned all public gatherings beneath Part 144 of the CrPc.
Balochistan authorities banned public gatherings, suspended biometric attendance, restricted actions and closed academic establishments.
Ok-P additionally banned public gatherings, closed academic establishments and directed police to make sure individuals weren’t arranging non-public occasions.
Follow The Specific Tribune‘s dwell protection of the Covid-19 outbreak in Pakistan and the across the globe right here.
