Two recover as coronavirus tally jumps to 133

Govt arrested 300 people and sealed 2,500 shops in violation of section 144 on the third day of the lockdown


Mohammad Zafar March 28, 2020
Men wear protective mask as a preventive measure against coronavirus, as they stand outside the Isolation ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medial Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Waseem Khan NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

QUETTA: The Balochistan government spokesperson, Liaquat Shahwani on Friday confirmed that two patients infected with the coronavirus had successfully recovered as the fight against the deadly virus continues. “Two patients admitted at the Shaikh Zayad hospital of Quetta have been fully recovered”, he said. “Both patients have been discharged from hospital and sent home, after their test results came negative.”

It is pertinent to mention that this is the first instance, where patients of coronavirus in Balochistan have fully recovered. As per the stats,only one patient has died due to the virus while others are receiving treatment in Quetta.

COVID-19 tally reaches 133

The tally of coronavirus cases in Balochistan reached 133 on Friday as the provincial government arrested 300 people and sealed 2,500 shops in violation of section 144 on the third day of the lockdown.

Parents were warned that they will be arrested for letting their children come out on the streets without any reason. However, general stores remained open along with pharmacies and the transportation of goods was also allowed. The Pak-Iran border also remained closed for the 34th day whereas the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman remained closed for the 26th day.

It is pertinent to note that a late-night notification issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department relayed that prayers in mosques across the province had been banned with immediate effect for 12 days. It advised the people to perform all the prayers at their homes.

However, mosques were allowed to remain open but only five people could perform the prayers together including the prayer leader and four others.

“In a major decision by the Balochistan government to curb the spread of coronavirus, people can no more offer prayers at mosques,” Liaquat Shahwani said in a tweet. “Only mosque staff of maximum five people can offer prayers at mosques. In addition to the mosque’s predecessor, 3-5 people, including a caretaker and a servant, will be allowed for the congregation of prayer.”

On the occasion, the clerics appealed to the public that due to the outbreak of coronavirus, children and elderly people over 50 years of age, including sick, suffering from colds and cough should remain at homes and offer prayers. “They should refrain from coming to the mosque and people are urged to perform prayers in their homes.”

Pak Afghan border

In a video message, a Pakistani driver stranded in Spin Boldak at the Pak-Afghan border, relayed that more than 800 Pakistanis were stuck there along with 400 empty containers, trucks and oil tankers. He appealed to the government of Pakistan for helping them. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2020.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ