The second coronavirus case of Gilgit-Baltistan emerged on Wednesday, raising Pakistan’s tally of total confirmed cases to 20. The 14-year-old boy, a resident of Skardu, was held at an isolation centre where he tested positive for the mysterious viral pneumonia-like disease caused by the novel coronavirus. So far, 20 Pakistanis have been tested positive for COVID-19 with 15 of them belonging to Sindh, four in Gilgit-Baltistan now, and one in Balochistan. On Tuesday, the first coronavirus case emerged in the Balochistan capital. The 12-year-old patient had arrived in Quetta along with his parents from Iran via Taftan border, head of a government hospital said. The family belongs to Dadu district in Sindh, said the medical superintendent (MS) of Fatima Jinnah Hospital, adding that parents, three siblings, and paternal aunt of the child are tested negative. One patient has already fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital in Karachi last week.
Dr Zafar Mirza, the de facto health minister, has assured the public that the federal government is closely monitoring the changing situation and providing the best medical care to new cases. He emphasized that the situation is under control and all necessary efforts are being made to protect the masses from coronavirus. Dr. Mirza advised the public to practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and stay informed about the latest updates on the outbreak. He also mentioned that all educational institutions in Sindh and Balochistan have been temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the disease.
The COVID-19 virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has spread to over 110 countries, resulting in thousands of deaths and infections worldwide. As new outbreaks occur in different regions, concerns are rising about the ability of countries with limited healthcare infrastructure to handle the epidemic. Pakistan, situated between China and Iran, faces challenges in dealing with the potential outbreak. Despite the growing fears, authorities are working diligently to contain the spread and protect the population from the virus.
