F.P. Report
HYDERABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday urged residents to remain calm and take precautions, even as the number of coronavirus cases in the province rose to 15, with the first case outside Karachi being confirmed in Hyderabad.
Shah, who was chairing a meeting of the provincial task force on COVID-19, was informed that the 14 patients under treatment at various hospitals after testing positive are all recovering, according to information released by the Chief Minister’s Office.
The meeting was told that samples of a further two suspected patients have been sent for testing and their results are awaited.
Out of the total 15 cases detected in Sindh so far, one patient was discharged after making a full recovery. A second “high risk” 67-year-old patient has also recovered and tested negative on Tuesday; he will be tested again tomorrow and is likely to be discharged from hospital, the meeting was told.
Officials revealed during the meeting that a total of 162 tests have so far been carried out in Sindh out of which 147 came out negative and 15 were positive.
Chief Minister Shah noted that all of the cases to have emerged in the province so far have been “imported”.
“It means we will have to be more cautious in checking the passengers coming from Iran, Afghanistan, Italy and such other countries at the airport and the suspect(s), if any, must be quarantined there instead of bringing [them] to the city,” he said, according to a statement issued by his office.
Shah said the government will speed up its efforts to control the virus from spreading further.
“Nobody in Sindh needs to worry. By the blessing of Allah the situation is under control,” he added, urging the public to take all necessary precautions to prevent infections.
It was pointed out during the meeting that 167 pilgrims who returned from Iran were in quarantine at their homes.
The chief minister observed that around 4,000 passengers land at Karachi airport every day, therefore arrangements for their screening must be made foolproof. He directed the chief secretary to talk to the federal government and request it to make quarantine arrangements at the airport for suspected cases of coronavirus.
“I want none of the passengers with pneumonia or coronavirus symptoms [to] be brought out of the airport and expose him/her to others,” he said, according to the press release.
The chief secretary told Shah that he was doubling the health department staff posted at the airport so that every incoming passenger could be checked properly.
The meeting decided that a health education and screening desk will be established at the immigration counters at Karachi airport. The World Health Organisation will also provide special training to health department officials and doctors and paramedical staff.
PSL matches in Karachi to be held as scheduled
During the meeting, Chief Minister Shah announced that the Pakistan Super League 2020 matches scheduled to be held in Karachi, starting from March 12, will go ahead as scheduled.
He directed the chief secretary and police chief to make necessary arrangements in this regard, including issuing an advisory for the spectators.
Shah also directed provincial minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani to hold a meeting with PCB authorities and discuss all precautionary measures. He asked them to install hand wash and sanitiser boxes at the stadium and advise people with travel history of Iran not to visit the stadium.
Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Information Nasir Shah also confirmed that PSL matches will be held as scheduled in Karachi.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting held to review preparations for the upcoming matches, he said “all arrangements are complete.”
He said fumigation will be carried out at the National Stadium before the match starts and thermal screening will be done of spectators upon entry.
“The Sindh government is ready; matches will take place as per normal,” he said, requesting people who have recently returned from Iran, China and Italy to avoid coming to the matches.
