Health Minister denies Covid cases upsurge in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh’s Health Minister Azra Pechuho has refuted reports with regard to an upsurge in Covid cases in Karachi, ARY News reported on Monday.

“Don’t afraid, corona disease is not spreading in Karachi,” the health minister said. “Coronavirus has vanished across the world,” Pechuho said.

Health minister also asked to avoid sensationalism with fake news.

“As a precaution, common cold patients’ tests conducted and mild symptoms were detected in seven out of 100 patients,” minister said.

“Corona has become like seasonal cold across the world, so there is nothing to be worried,” she advised citizens.

Recently, reports revealed that Karachi has started to see a rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with 25 to 30 percent of patients presenting with symptoms of cold and cough testing positive for the virus.

According to Professor Saeed Khan, an expert in infectious diseases at Dow Hospital, there has been an increase in the number of people suffering from cold, cough, and fever in the city. After testing, 25 to 30 percent of these patients are confirmed to have COVID-19.

Professor Khan further stated that 10 to 12 percent of patients are being diagnosed with Influenza H1N1, while 5 to 10 percent of children are showing signs of respiratory infections.

He explained that the symptoms of COVID-19, Influenza H1N1, and other winter viral infections are similar, which leads many patients to avoid getting tested, thereby preventing the confirmation of these diseases.