Sindh health department issues report on coronavirus precautionary measures

Observed symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty in breathing

The Sindh Health Department has issued a report on the preparedness and response to coronavirus after two cases emerged in Pakistan on Wednesday.

 

A meeting chaired by the provincial health minister discussed measures to address the issue and a second meeting was held with secretary health to develop strategies and implement the decisions.

Several steps were taken to ensure proper precautionary measures, such as directing the health department officials at airports and port and shipping authorities to screen travellers and provide a prompt report of any suspected case.

An ambulance has been situated at Jinnah Airport and Keamari Port for transporting suspected cases to an isolation ward.

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Isolation wards in six tertiary care hospitals and other hospitals in Sindh have been established for coronavirus patients.

Jinnah Airport and several hospitals have been provided with personal protective equipment for the safety of healthcare workers.

Livestock and fisheries department were alerted and ordered to take precautionary measures, as the coronavirus is believed to be transmitted by animals.

Schools and colleges were also requested to create awareness amongst the students and teachers.

Dr Zafar Mehdi and Dr MB Raja Dharejo have been appointed as focal persons for the coordination and monitoring of the virus.

Pneumonia outbreak due to coronavirus

The health department has also issued an advisory on an expected pneumonia outbreak due to the novel coronavirus.

Chinese authorities have notified more than 1,500 human infections and cases have also been reported from Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

"The objective of this advisory is to alert and sensitize the health staff at border posts as well as in healthcare institutions of Pakistan to stay vigilant about any suspected cases coming from affected areas for early detection," the report stated.

Two coronavirus cases emerge in Pakistan

Signs and symptoms

The observed signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Chest radiographs show invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs.

The report also mentions that a person with severe acute respiratory infections, with a history of fever and cough, having travelled to China within the last 15 days, should be tested for the virus.

Measures to be taken at hospitals

The Sindh health department further warned hospital staff to ensure hand hygiene and cough etiquettes, use personal protective equipment, wear face masks while examining suspected patients and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

It also directed the administration to ensure that all patients cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, to provide patients with medical masks and to clean their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water.

The report also stated that healthcare workers should avoid touching their face with contaminated gloves, avoid transporting patients out of their rooms, wear protective equipment and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects.