No coronavirus cases reported in Pakistan, says Dr Zafar Mirza

No coronavirus cases reported in Pakistan, says Dr Zafar Mirza

Islamabad (Web Desk): Special Assistant on National Health Services, Dr Zafar Mirza on Wednesday said that there were no reported cases of coronavirus in Pakistan.

Chairing a meeting of Coronavirus Emergency Core Group in Islamabad, Dr Zafar Mirza said that 89 samples received by the National Institution for Health (NIH) were tested to be negative.

The Special Assistant said that a National Action Plan (NAP) is being fully implemented to keep the country safe from the coronavirus, adding that the core group is constantly monitoring the situation.

He said that separate rooms have been allocated in 18 hospitals nationwide.

Dr Zafar said that a strong mechanism has been put in place at all airports to ensure proper screening of passengers travelling from other parts of the world.

He added that 400,000 people have been screened so far.

Federal secretary health executive director NIH, Pakistan Army representatives and other experts were present during the meeting.

This is pertinent to mention here that death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic jumped to 2,000 on Wednesday, as Chinese and international health officials warned against excessive measures to contain the epidemic.

As per reports more than 74,000 people have now been infected by the virus in China, with hundreds more cases in some 25 countries.