PM to address nation soon, says health czar amid sharp rise in coronavirus cases

Imran Khan chairs meeting of National Coordination Committee to review measure taken to contain COVID-19 outbreak

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Prime Minister Imran Khan will soon address the nation and take the fellow countrymen into confidence over the measures being taken to contain the spread of novel coronavirus as the tally soared to 136 on Monday.

The government is making all-out efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 disease and the prime minster is personally monitoring the situation, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said while briefing the media about the National Coordination Committee meeting, chaired by the premier in Islamabad earlier today.

The de facto health minister reiterated that there was no need to panic and the situation was under control. “We need to look at the bigger picture and compare our numbers with other countries,” he added.

“By following precautionary measures including social distancing we can effectively contain the spread of novel coronavirus.”

Sindh, K-P confirm 15 new coronavirus cases each, national tally hits 136

Dr Mirza said not everyone was required to get tested for coronavirus as diagnostic kits are limited in stock and could parish very quickly “if everyone avail this facility to remove their doubts”.

“Only those who have returned from abroad and exhibit symptoms like flu, fever and breathing problem need to undergo screening or those who have met anyone who returned from abroad,” he explained.

“The encouraging development is that now 14 laboratories in the country are conducting coronavirus tests and the government run facilities are doing it for free,” he added.

Dr Mirza, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Special Assistant to PM for Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM for Oversees Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bokhari and others, were present at the meeting, according to the PM Office.

All the chief ministers were present through video links, the statement added.