Sindh reports 2,487 new Covid-19 cases, 42 deaths

A record number of fatalities, most tests in a single-day

KARACHI: Sindh reported 2,487 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, and 42 more fatalities, taking the provincial death toll 738. Another 1,111 persons have also recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours.

In a statement issued by the Chief Minister's House, CM Murad Ali Shah said that 9,100 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, and 2,478 new cases emerged. Of the tests conducted 27.3 per cent results were positive, which is an alarming figure, noted Shah.

“This is the highest rate of new cases and and the situation has become alarming,” he said, adding that the percentage needed to be controlled with the support of the people.

The CM also noted 42 deaths were also the highest recorded in a single day in Sindh due to the coronavirus.

According to the statement, 255, 617 tests have been conducted in the province thus far and 43, 790 cases have been detected. The provincial fatality rate stands at 1.7 per cent while the recovery rate stands at 48.3 per cent as of now.

There are currently 22,045 patients under treatment in Sindh, according to Shah. Of these, 493 patients are in critical condition, including 77 who are on the ventilator.

Shah added that coronavirus cases increased exponentially in the two weeks after Eidul Fitr and there has also been a quadruple increase in the number of patients needing hospitalisation. The number of critical patients has also multiplied by 10 in the past 15 days, he said.

The CM said that 75 per cent fatalities were of patients with comorbidities and those above the age of 50. He added that of the 34 deaths of healthcare workers from across Pakistan, 12 were from Sindh.

Of the new cases that emerged in the past 24 hours, 1,755 were detected in Karachi - with 498 in East district, 443 in South, 409 in Central, 173 in Malir, 117 in West and 115 in Korangi districts.

Besides, Hyderabad has 80 new cases, Ghotki 69, Sukkur 43, Larkana 40, Sanghar 37, Khairour 29, Dadu 25, Jamshoro 25, Sujawal 23, Kashmore 22, Shikarpur 17, Mirpurkhas 13, Shaheed Benazirabad 13, Thatta 12, Kambar 11, Tando Mohammad Khan 11,Umerkot nine, Jacobabad eight, Badin four, Tando Allahyar one.

With regards to testing capacity, Shah said that the capacity has enhanced by 110 times - from 80 to 9,000.

“We have 21 labs in nine different districts where the highest number of tests per million are being conducted,” he said, adding that out of 225,000 tests, 80 per cent tests were conducted free of charge by the Sindh government.

Meanwhile, 203-designated hospitals with 8,000 beds have been arranged for the coronavirus patients across Sindh, he said. “We have established 670 HDU beds, 334 ICU beds with ventilators and these facilities are being expanded,” he added.

Concluding his statement, the chief minister said that his government has set up helpline: 1021, 1025, 9123, 021-99204452 and 021-99206565 for tests and guidelines for COVID-19 treatment.
He urged people of the province to understand severity of the situation and avoid unnecessary outing and follow SOPs in true letter and spirit.