Travellers with coronavirus symptoms to be ‘quarantined for 15 days’

NDMA obtains three thermal scanners to identify suspected patients with COVID-19 virus

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday said passengers with novel coronavirus symptoms from China, Iran and other virus-hit countries will be quarantined for 15 days.

The NDMA spokesperson said the quarantine centre will be ready in one week, and lodging facilities, a dispensary, a cafeteria and other recreational facilities will be available within the premises.

The spokesperson stated that the quarantine centre has been set up as a precautionary measure to manage the outbreak of the coronavirus.

In addition, the NDMA has also established a modern quarantine centre with 300 beds in Islamabad and has obtained three modern scanners - worth Rs20 million - to identify individuals showing higher body temperature on arrival in Pakistan.

Fifth coronavirus case confirmed in Pakistan

The thermal scanners will be installed at various airports across the country.

Fifth case in Pakistan 

Health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the fifth case of the deadly coronavirus in Pakistan after a 45-year-old woman from Gilgit Baltistan was diagnosed with COVID-19.

State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza confirmed the case on Twitter. The woman arrived from Iran recently.

Mirza assured that the patient is stable and being taken care of, and requested the media to respect the privacy of the patient and his family.

The patient is being treated at a hospital in Gilgit and her family members are being tested for the virus. Local schools have also been closed till March 7 following the confirmation of the infection.

Most of the cases reported so far in Pakistan have a history of travel to Iran.