Sindh CM orders random Covid-19 tests
RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Wednesday directed the health department to start random testing of people at grocery shops, vegetable shops so that local spread could be checked and contained accordingly.
In a video message released from the Chief Minister House, Murad Ali Shah said that cases of local spread were increasing equally in urban and rural areas. He added that a villager who recently visited Hyderabad and got himself infected there. When he returned to his village he infected others, he said and added that “we checked his 30 relatives/connections, of them nine were infected by him,” he deplored and added this was why he had decided to start random testing at grocery shops, vegetable shops and such other places where people go off and on.
Shah said that random checking at grocery shops was aimed at checking the local spread and then take a new strategy to contain the virus further. “I have issued the directive and hoped that the people will cooperate with the field staff of our labs,” he said.
COVID-19: Sindh chief minister sharing the situation report of Coronavirus said that 3671 samples were tested as a result 451 new cases emerged while nine more people lost their lives while struggling against the infection.
He said that 3,671 tests were conducted from May 5 to 6 and found 451 new cases. The number of tests conducted so far comes to 72,544 against which 8640 cases were diagnosed. “451 cases against 3671 tests constitute 12.3 percent positive rate,” he said and added the ratio was high and alarming.
Shah said that nine patients succumbed to the virus infection talking the death toll to 157 which was 1.8 percent of the total patients. “Yes, we have a good news also that 60 more patients have been cured and discharged and now the number of patients who defeated the virus and recovered has reached to 1731 which is 20 percent, he said.
The chief minister sharing the data of 6752 patients under treatment said that 5528 or 82 percent of the patients were in home isolation, 721 or 10 percent were at Isolation centers and 503 were at different hospitals. He added that 89 patients were in critical condition, of the 14 were on ventilators. He prayed for their early recovery.
He said that out of 451 new cases 327 cases belong to Karachi and they include district Central 68, East 74, Korangi 25, Malir 26, South 87 and West 47. He added that 24 new cases have been diagnosed in Shikarpur, 19 Sukkur, seven Larkana, five Hyderabad, four Sujawal, three Ghotki, two Sanghar, one each in Matiari, Mirpurkhas and Dadu.
The chief minister said that out of 451 cases, 327 belonged to Karachi. They are 87 in South, 74 East, 68 Central, 47 West, 26 Malir and 25 Korangi, he said and added over 6084 cases existed in the city.
Dr Furqan: The chief minister disclosed that the inquiry ordered into death of Dr Furqan, allegedly because of non-availability of ventilator, has been completed. “Now, I have ordered the health department to take strict action against the officers whose failure has been pointed out,” he said.
He offered condolence with the family members of late Dr Furqan and also offered condolence with the family members of other doctors, policemen and para-medical staff who lost their lives in the line of their duty, particularly while protecting others.
Stranded Pakistani: Mr Shah said that different flights have brought back 2369 stranded Pakistanis and all of them were tested. As a result, 515 of them came positive which was 22 percent.
He said that the patients were being taken care of properly.
The chief minister reiterated the people of the province to follow the SOPs and observe social distancing.
NCOCC meeting: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah through video link from CM House participated NCOC meeting organized by Federal Minister Asad Omar in Islamabad. The meeting discussed the matters pertaining to lockdown particularly the post May 9 measures.
The meeting was also attended by the chief ministers/ministers of other provinces, including of Gilgit Baltistan.
Sindh Chief Minister said that the death ratio stemming from Coronavirus has increased apart from spike in the new cases, particularly of local transmission. “In such state of affairs, we have to take decisions after thorough discussion and debate and with national unity,” he said.
The meeting discussed how to ease out lock down and which [business] activities be allowed to start operation which activities continued to remain closed. In the meeting different sectors were discussed and like other provinces, the Sindh chief minister gave his recommendations and observations.
The meeting also discussed operation timing of business activities and their SOPs. The discussion was also made on allowing agreed business activities before or after Iftar.
Finally, it was decided that the federal minister Asad Umar would firm up the suggestions and the final decision would be taken by the prime minister.
