COVID-19 cases on the rise in Afghanistan

KABUL (Tolo News): The Ministry of Public Health said that COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise in the country and that at least 11 people have been infected with the coronavirus variant in the last few weeks.

The number of those infected with the coronavirus variant was 7 a few days ago, but it has climbed to 11 and at the end of this week. “At least 17 samples were tested. The samples were from Logar, Nangarhar and Sarubi (district in Kabul). 11 of them tested positive for the coronavirus variant,” said Lais Mustafa, head of communication office of the Ministry of Public Health.

Officials at Afghan Japan Hospital, one of the main COVID-19 treatment centers in Kabul, said the number of their patients has increased over the last week. Doctors at the hospital said that at least 50 patients visit the health facility daily. According to doctors, 63 severe COVID-19 patients are under treatment in the center.

“40 to 50 patients visit the hospital daily. We send them home if they are fine, but we admit them if they are in severe condition,” said Subhan, a doctor. Doctors said that most of their patients are from eastern provinces – the provinces that share border with Pakistan – and that these patients are infected with the coronavirus after traveling to neighboring countries.

“Those who travel to Pakistan might have been infected with the coronavirus variant… and they have also transferred the virus to their family members. Most of our patients are from eastern provinces,” said Shirin Agha Naseri, head of the intensive case department at Afghan Japan Hospital. Families of COVID-19 patients said the people should take the diseases seriously and they should observe health measures likes social distancing and others.

“People should abide by health advice and they should observe at least social distancing,” said Mahmood, a Kabul resident whose family member is under treatment in Afghan Japan Hospital. The Ministry of Public Health reported 55 new positive cases of COVID-19 out of 1,715 samples tested in a day. The ministry also reported six deaths and 195 recoveries from COVID-19 in the same period.