Coronavirus cases fatality rate ‘very low in Pakistan’

Dr Zafar Mirza says infections two-third lower than forecast

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza on Tuesday said the COVID-19 cases’ fatality rate reported in Pakistan was very low at 1.7% against the global figure of 6.2%.

In a briefing on COVID-19, he said the reason behind low number of deaths in Pakistan as compared to other countries was due to the immediate measures taken by the government to control the outbreak under the supervision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said it was a sign of relief that despite the prediction of 18,000 COVID-19 positive cases in Pakistan by April 14, the reported cases were 5,716 so far, which were two-third lower than the expected trend.

Similarly, the figure of expected deaths was 191 in the country as of Tuesday while the actual deaths reported were 96 so far. He added the government has tried its best to control the disease.

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He said although Sindh had taken measures at a very early stage, the situation in Punjab was better. He added the overall steps taken at the national level resulted in better control over the disease.

He, however, said all the countrymen have a role to play in controlling the disease as still there were threats and fluctuation in the figure of daily deaths’ number.

Dr Mirza said the first coronavirus case was reported very late in Pakistan as compared to other countries on February 26, while the first meeting of National Security Council (NSC) was held on March 13, to make major decisions over the situation.