Coronavirus tally crosses 170; Sindh reports sharp increase, KP reports first case

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 179 after a sharp increase in cases was reported among pilgrims who have recently returned from Iran via Taftan and were being quarantined in Sukkur.

The total number of confirmed cases in Sindh shot from 103 to 146 after 43 new cases were reported in Sukkur.

"This exponential increase is largely due to the recent inflow of ppl brought in from Taaftaan after a purported qurantine," Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said.

Earlier in the day, the Sindh health department had said a total of 76 people from Taftan had been tested positive for the virus in Sukkur, where they have been quarantined, while there are 26 cases in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.

15 new cases have also been reported by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all of whom were pilgrims who had returned to Pakistan via Taftan. 10 cases have been reported by Balochistan, four by Islamabad, three by Gilgit Baltistan and one by Punjab. 

The national tally, subsequently, has risen to 136.

First cases reported by KP

The KP Health Minister, Taimur Jhagra, in a tweet confirmed that 15 out of 19 people had tested positive for the virus.

“Just received news that 15 of 19 individuals received in KP from Taftan have tested positive for Corona Virus. These are the first positive cases in KP.”

“They are being well looked after in quarantine in an isolated facility in DI Khan. More details soon,” he said.

Sindh sees sharp increase

Earlier, 41 new cases were confirmed by Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab in a tweet.

“More results have come in. So far 50 people who had arrived in Sukkur from Taftaan have tested positive, 25 at Karachi and 1 at Hyderabad. So the total patients have reached 76 in Sindh. Out of these 76 patients, 2 have recovered and the remaining 74 are being kept in isolation,” he said.

Talking to Geo News, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said since day one, the Sindh government is emphasising on strict screening measures at Taftan border and airports but the federal authorities did not pay any heed.

Wahab said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah would again sensitise the Centre in a meeting today with Prime Minister Imran Khan to step up their efforts.

Globally, more than 6,000 people have died and more than 156,000 have been infected by COVID-19 as the disease spreads rapidly to new territories.