Balochistan ‘ready to cope with more coronavirus cases’

The chief minister visits isolation ward, Intensive Care Unit and public health laboratory of the hospital

QUETTA: Balochistan was ready to cope with more cases of suspected coronavirus at the quarantine centre, according to a statement issued by the provincial government after the Chief Minister Jam Kamal’s visit to Fatima Jinnah General and Chest Hospital where the medical superintendent briefed the CM on improving condition of a patient.

The chief minister visited isolation ward, Intensive Care Unit and public health laboratory of the hospital on Sunday where he was briefed on the ongoing treatment of the coronavirus patients.
The 12-year-old boy — the first case of the deadly virus in the province — was admitted at the isolation ward of the hospital on March 10 where his condition was improving.

“Health officials conduct regular tests to ascertain conditions of patients infected with coronavirus,” said the statement, adding that hundreds of people returning from Iran’s Qom were under observation at the centre.



So far Balochistan has 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of 53 cases countrywide.

Besides, the provincial government assured people that officials were fully prepared in case more suspected coronavirus patients admitted at the Mian Ghundi quarantine centre located on the outskirts of Quetta.

The chief minister was briefed about the facilities at the isolation ward had five ventilators and other medical equipment.

“The public laboratory of the hospital is equipped with the latest testing facilities to detect other viruses and contagious diseases, including coronavirus,” said the statement, adding that the chief minister was assured that the management looked after afflicted boy well.

On Saturday, Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 in the province, banning all gatherings of 10 or more people amid fear of spread of the coronavirus due to human contact.

Besides, the government had also issued directives to ban entry of outsiders in Civil Secretariat Quetta in order to control spread of the virus.