ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has over 12,000 suspected COVID-19 cases, a top health official said on Saturday as the confirmed infections surged to over 1,400 with the Punjab province emerging as the new epicentre of the deadly disease in the country.
Advisor on health to the government Zafar Mirza was addressing a daily briefing to inform the magnitude of infection and measures taken to combat coronavirus pandemic. “There are currently 12,218 suspected COVID-19 patients in the country, out of which 1,408 have tested positive so far,” he said.
So far 11 people have died of the disease, 25 recovered and 7 were in critical condition.
Mirza also said that everyone having minor symptoms of virus were needed to undergo the coronavirus test. “PCR (Polymerase Chain Traction) test is considered the most authentic in the world and there are 14 Labs in the country authorised to carry out this test,” he said. Mirza said that the ratio of death in Pakistan was 0.78 per cent which was far below than many other countries.
Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal said that number of testing laboratories would be increased gradually to 50 in coming weeks.
He said that more testing kits and protective gear was being imported from China and the deficiency of ventilators would also be met soon. (PTI)
