Coronavirus in Pakistan: Mask-buying panic leading to shortages
On Wednesday, Pakistan detected its first two cases of the virus in the capital, Islamabad, and the largest city, Karachi.
More than 82,000 people in 30 countries have been affected by the coronavirus, with more than 2,800 deaths caused by it during the last month.
On Wednesday, the presence of coronavirus in Pakistan was confirmed, and the special assistant to the Prime Minister of Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, tweeted the reaffirmation. Dr. Mirza also addressed a joint press conference with Balochistan's chief minister, Jam Kamal Khan, on Wednesday night to confirm the two cases in Karachi in Islamabad.
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Dr. Mirza, while urging calm throughout the country, confirmed that the first patient along with his family had been quarantined together with his family. The 22-year-old man in question had returned to Pakistan from Iran on February 20, with all passengers on the flight ready to be tracked and tested. 100 patients have been negative so far.
The Iranian Ministry of Health reported Sunday that the total number of coronavirus cases in the country had increased to 43, with 12 deaths. As a result, Pakistan sealed the border with Iran and created detection camps in Balochistan, including a 100-bed hospital in Taftan.
More than 82,000 people in 30 countries have been affected by the coronavirus, with more than 2,800 deaths caused by it during the last month.
The new coronavirus has spread throughout the world since the first cases were detected in central China in December. As things stand, cases of coronaviruses are emerging more frequently outside China than within the country, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declares a public health emergency of international concern.
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“There is still no need for the nation to panic. We are taking the necessary safety and precautionary measures. The media and the public should also take precautions and be more responsible, rather than panicking, ”said Dr. Mirza.
A government help line has also been established in Pakistan to address issues related to the coronavirus. The masses have been urged to report on the help line if they or someone they know shows symptoms of the virus or if they have recently traveled to any country affected by the disease.
Meanwhile, the governments of Sindh and Balochistan announced the closure of the schools for two days and two weeks respectively.
According to health professionals, the symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Any person suspected of having contacted a patient has been urged to be tested as soon as possible.
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“There are reasons to worry because the virus is spreading rapidly throughout the world. The European and WHO guidelines underline global concern. However, one has to be wise too. The virus is spreading but the death count is low. Let's learn from China, don't spread any wrong information. Follow government instructions. And most importantly, keep your hands clean, use disinfectants: washing your hands regularly is one of the main precautions, ”says health expert Dr. Isma Naseem.
While the government's approach remains to ensure that there is no widespread panic throughout the country, there are still questions about health facilities available in Pakistan to deal with a virus explosion.
In addition, for Pakistan there are economic concerns to consider, since the outbreak has already had an impact on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor of $ 62 billion, with construction work in its second phase already delayed.