Pakistan’s confirmed cases of the coronavirus have reached to 1408, including most of the numbers in Punjab with 490 cases, followed by Sindh with 457, KPK 180, Balochistan 133, Gilgit Baltistan 107, and Islamabad with 39 cases.

While speaking to the press briefing, Special Assistant to PM on health Dr Zafar Mirza, NDMA Chairman, Lt Afzal and PM’s Assistant on National Security Dr Moeed Yousaf were sharing the day-to-day situation regarding Pakistan’s efforts against the pandemic.

Zafar Mirza said that as many as 7180 people are currently in the quarantine centres, adding that another 173 cases were reported during the last 24 hours.

“We’ve already suggested under what conditions people are to undergo the corona test,” Mirza said and added that PCR is the world’s most authentic test for the assessment of the infection.

“As many as 725 people are under-treatment for the coronavirus in the various hospitals in the country,” Dr Mirza said, adding that “Four kinds of people are on our priority for testing for the virus, and we’ll conduct tests according to this priority.”

Zafar Mirza said “The first kind is of those who have a problem in breathing and who recently came from one of the countries affected by the virus. Then there are those elderly people who have been sustaining old sickness. We’ll also prioritize the testing of our medical staff including doctors who showed some symptom of the infection. Also, we’ll conduct the tests of the patients who are admitted to the hospital for the suspicion of the infection.”

Dr Mirza said although the awareness is growing among the people regarding the virus, the panic should not lead everyone to conduct the test. He said it is not possible for the government.

“If everyone in Pakistan wants to conduct his or her test for the coronavirus; then sorry, we don’t have the facility nor capacity to do this.”

He lamented that people are seeking sources in order to get their corona test, adding “it is not only unnecessary but an injustice to those who are the possible victim of the virus.”

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal also ensured the provision of complete physical protective equipment to the medical staff working on the front lines against the spread of the coronavirus.

Briefing to the media, NDMA Chairman said “Today, another 30000 testing kits have been transported in Karachi through a cargo. Another plane will also arrive tonight with 15 ventilators besides other medical equipment.”

Lt Afzal said that another plane will land with medicine in Islamabad, adding that this special package would be fulfilling the needs for four weeks.

“We want to increase the number of the laboratories by 40 to 50,” Lt Afzal said, and added that “the number of laboratories in Islamabad would be increased by tonight, and we’re already upgrading a laboratory in Dera Ismail Khan.”

The Special Assistant to PM on National Security, Dr Moeed Yousuf also briefed the media about Pakistan’s decision to extend the closure of its eastern and western borders for another 14 days, including the Kartarpur Corridor.

“We’ll open the airspace gradually in order to ensure no one import virus from abroad,” Dr Moeed said, and added that the empty planes could leave Pakistan.

He also briefed Pakistan’s efforts to bring back the Pakistanis stuck abroad and said that a special Thai plane would land tonight with Pakistanis who had been stuck in Bangkok due to the flight closure.

“Although we’ve ensured stricter screening measures at the seaports, their business will be allowed to continue as usual,” Dr Moeed said.