Covid-19 in Pakistan: Coronavirus pandemic hits normal life in south Punjab

According to media reports, 14 persons tested positive for the virus out of 194 screened for the virus in Dera Ghazi Khan. 

Talking to The News International, Nasim Sadiq, Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan commissioner, confirmed that 829 pilgrims under the leadership of 64 ‘salars’/heads were quarantined in DG Khan at three different places. Among them 268 are women, 64 children and the rest are men. One ‘salar’ was leading 25 to 30 pilgrims. These pilgrims came from Iran viaTaftan border and were quarantined in Ghazi University, Chakar University and PTDC.

Tests of 42 persons were conducted on March 15. Five contracted corona virus and were shifted to Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh. Tests of 48 pilgrims were conducted on March 17 while 104 tests were conducted Wednesday, whose results are awaited. Results of 34 people were found negative, DG Khan Commissioner said. 

He said proper facilities like safety kit, ventilators, and deputation of doctors are being made to help the patients.

Silwat Saeed Special Secretary Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department (SHC&ME) told The News International, “The pilgrims will complete 14 days at quarantine, if symptoms appear in the patients, they will be sent to a hospital, where they would get treatment. For this purpose, master trainers like Dr Ahmed Nadeem AMS Services Hospital Lahore, Dr Tabish SMO Services Hospital, Dr Tahir Raza PG trainee service and Dr Naz Akram PG trainee Service Hospital were sent to DG Khan, where they imparted training to the doctors. "

Till late Saturday night, 730 confirmed Coronavirus cases have been reported from Pakistan. Three people have died in the country.

A deadly picture:

As the number of confirmed Coronavirus-hit patients touched 730 on Saturday, reports of lack of proper implementation of the system by PM Imran Khan-led government to combat the menace have been sneaking out from Pakistan which is suspected to have an increased number of infected in the nation  since the past few days.

According to local reports, doctors of four hospitals in Islamabad are on strike.

"They are saying that they will not work as they neither possess N-95 masks nor complete protective gear," sources said.

According to Pakistani media, the Lal Masjid authorities, unlike other religious institutions in the nation who have adhered to government guidelines for preventing the spread of disease by limiting gatherings and congregations, defied the instructions of the Imran Khan-led administration and announced new study classes from Mar 20.

Defying government directives and seminary boards, Maulana Abdul Aziz and his wife Umme Hasan, who heads the Jamia Hafsa seminary, have decided to keep the seminary open and running, reported Dawn News.

He released a video on social media in which he could be seen carrying an assault rifle on his shoulder while sweeping the floor of the mosque. He criticised the government because the mosque was deserted and said he had been forced to clean the floor himself, reported the Pakistan-based newspaper.

The management of the mosque on Tuesday also announced a schedule for advanced Quran learning classes for men and women. The classes will be held separately, starting from March 20 (Rajab 25) until around May 20 (Ramazan 27), reported Dawn News.