All coronavirus patients in province ‘travelled to Iran’

QUETTA: All those who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Balchistan had travelled to Iran while no case of locally transmitted infection has so far been reported, provincial government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani has said.

"All positive cases of the coronavirus have been reported among pilgrims and traders who had travelled to Iran and no case of local transmission [of virus] has been reported yet," he told a news conference at the CM secretariat.

The spokesperson noted that currently there were 108 cases of COVID-19 in the province of which 78 were reported by the Pakistan Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), while others by quarantine centre at Taftan.“Test reports of some suspected patients from Taftan are yet to be received," he said.

Shahwani maintained that the provincial government was in the process of acquiring more kits to test the people suspected of carrying symptoms of the virus.

“Currently the government has kits to test 1,450 people. In the next few days, 200 more kits will be available through which 19,500 individuals could be tested," he said.

“At the moment, there is a facility of 1200 isolation beds in Quetta, while another 2,000 beds are being established after which the capacity would increase to 3,300 beds,” he added. The spokesperson observed that after clearing the COVID-19 test, individuals were being discharged from the isolation facility.

“452 people from the Pakistan Council for Scientific Industrial Research (PCSIR) quarantine center in Quetta have been allowed to go home after clearing the coronavirus test,” he said.

He hailed the provincial government’s decision of partial instead of complete lockdown, saying the pronouncement had shown positive results. Shahwani informed the media that 78 restaurants and 24 outlets which had violated government orders had been sealed.

“Shopping malls, markets and public places are closed; gatherings are banned, while public transport and transport on the N25 National Highway is restricted,” he said.

"Holidays have been announced in the government offices and educational institutions but grocery and medical stores are open," he added.

He stressed upon the people to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travelling.

He pointed out that the government was prescribing the medicine to coronavirus patients which had been approved by the World Health Organisation.

"The government has the necessary medicines available in large quantities,” he said.

The provincial government spokesperson stated that ration was provided to the families of people infected with the virus, while the list of daily wagers was being compiled, who will also receive the government help.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2020.