Sindh establishes health desks at domestic arrival, departure gates of Karachi airport

Desks established at Jinnah International Airport, first death in province

KARACHI: The province's health department on Friday established health desks at domestic departure and arrival gates of Jinnah International Airport.

Earlier in the day, first coronavirus-related death in Sindh was reported by the provincial health officials as the number of cases in Pakistan continues to climb.

Confirming the death of the 77-year-old Karachi resident, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that the deceased “had cancer, diabetes and blood pressure. The patient did not have any travel or contact history”.



The minister also advised refraining from coming in contact with the elderly as old people with underlying medical conditions are more susceptible to the virus.

Amid a ballooning coronavirus crisis in Sindh, government officials are pondering a plan to lock down Karachi for 15 days in an attempt to contain the novel coronavirus spread in the metropolis.

The sources said the final decision on Karachi lockdown would be taken in a meeting of the civil and military officials in Sindh scheduled to be held on Friday (today).



The provincial authorities have already shut down offices of government departments for two weeks.

Under the lockdown, people will not be allowed to leave their homes unnecessarily. However, grocery stores, pharmacies and medical stores will remain open along with other essential services. Ambulance service will also be exempted from these restrictions.