Coronavirus in Pakistan: 2 Deaths and 307 Infected Cases

There has been an upward spike in the positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan. The count has now reached 307. Pakistan's department of health has announced that there is a continuous increase in cases in the province of Sindh. Also, in the eastern province of Punjab, there are 33 cases, 23 in Balochistan and 7 in Islamabad have been after by the COVID-19.

As per the WHO, there are about 219,345 positive cases around the world and around 8969 casualties. The coronavirus, which emerged destructively in China, is now threatening countries like South Korea, Italy, and Iran at a massive spread rate and mortality rate. Apart from these, coronavirus has also spread among countries like Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, UAE, Kuwait, USA, Canada, and Cambodia.

The coronavirus has taken a devastating toll in Italy. People have been asked not to come out of their homes during this period by the government, and also, all schools and colleges have been declared a holiday.

In Pakistan also the virus is increasing its affected number of cases. People who went on a spiritual pilgrimage from Pakistan to Iran are blamed as the reason for the virus started to spread in Pakistan. As a curbing measure, the Pakistan army has announced its readiness to take on the task.

On Tuesday, the Pakistan army announced that it was ready to assist the government and provincial governments in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

"As part of the national effort, and in line with the decisions of the National Security Committee taken on March 13, all medical facilities of the armed forces are operationalized and geared up to meet any eventuality to deal with [coronavirus] pandemic. COVID-19 testing labs have been established at major military hospitals across the country and central testing lab at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. COVID-19 help desk established at each military hospital for fast track handling" read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate.

A tweet followed this statement from ISPR on March 13 in which it stated that Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa had directed the military to gear up efforts to support the national response to counter the COVID-19 epidemic.

During the National Security Council meeting held on March 13, Pakistan finalized its strategy for halting the spread of coronavirus. The plan, as formulated by them, include restricting points of entry into the country and adopting social distancing measures, including bans on large public gatherings and closures of educational institutions.

The first case in Pakistan was reported on February 26, while the number of instances now has reached 307. This increased number has caused a panic among the people in the country, fearing it is just the start of an outbreak.

The ISPR issued a statement that says, "Armed forces of Pakistan are fully involved in assisting the government and provincial administrations in tackling the situation since the outbreak and duly vigilant of the developing situation post-COVID-19. The COAS has directed all commanders to take maximum necessary measures to assist civil administration for the safety and well being of the people of Pakistan."