Coronavirus in Pakistan

[the Great Khan]

Islamabad, Pakistan - Pakistan has registered its deadliest day in terms of deaths from the coronavirus, with at least 20 people dying, taking the country's toll to 301 deaths since the outbreak began in late February, government data shows.

Cases in the South Asian nation have been spiking since last week, with 751 new infections recorded on Monday, taking the overall number of cases to 14,079, data collected by Al Jazeera shows.

So far, at least 3,233 patients, or 23 percent of the overall cases, have recovered, leaving 10,545 active cases in a country where a weak health infrastructure has been at the centre of concerns regarding the rapid spread of COVID-19.

In recent weeks, the government has built several makeshift hospitals, with a capacity of thousands.

Last week, however, Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that cases could spike by the middle of May, possibly overwhelming infrastructure capacity.

On Monday, Khan chaired a meeting of high-level officials to discuss the government's response to the crisis, where de facto Health Minister Zafar Mirza told government leaders that "the number of corona[virus] cases and [the] death rate in Pakistan is less than that of the rest of the world".

Khan reiterated that his government was seeking to "balance the need to save people from corona[virus] and the continuation of economic activity".

In the same meeting, Industries Minister Hammad Azhar said the government would be paying electricity bills for qualifying small businesses for up to three months to support them during the crisis.

Earlier this month, Khan's government reopened several sectors of the economy, arguing that rising unemployment could kill more people than the virus.

Cases have been rising, however, with the country's number doubling roughly every 11 days, while the number of fatalities has doubled almost every eight days.

The latest "deadliest day" comes a week after the previous highest number of daily deaths, 17, was recorded in the country.

As it eases up on the lockdown, the government has also been attempting to tighten restrictions in certain areas.

On Monday, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah advocated for greater restrictions on intercity bus travel on the weekends, stopping labourers from returning to their home villages.

Also on Monday, Imran Ismail, the governor of the southern Sindh province - home to the country's largest city of Karachi - said he had tested positive for COVID-19.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...day-coronavirus-pandemic-200428093932743.html

I love how pakistans "deadliest day" is 17 deaths. In the UK cases aren't even counted anymore. Deaths are 2000 a day. And then they criticise IK.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan have risen by 874, the highest single day increase, for the second consecutive day, to 15,759 cases countrywide, according to government data
New deaths from COVID-19 rose by 19 to a total 346, with 4,052 patients having recovered since the start of the country's outbreak in late February.

This virus is getting out of hand in the subcontinent

 

[Savak]

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/...orkers-hired-plant-trees-200429070109237.html

 

[King-Misbah]

This virus is getting out of hand in the subcontinent

Still not out of hand, just have to be smart. People need to take more responsibility of their actions and South Asian countries really need to use influencers and celebrities to drill the messege.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AKU has introduced a new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> online course for its MBBS students which will provide them the latest research and evidence on the disease, its development and spread, and the ways to prevent and manage it in hospital and community settings. <a href="https://t.co/0CccFy5iWG">https://t.co/0CccFy5iWG</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AKUMC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AKUMC</a> <a href="https://t.co/sKa5rgEaZW">pic.twitter.com/sKa5rgEaZW</a></p>— Aga Khan University (@AKUGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/AKUGlobal/status/1255755924893044736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Itachi]

I love how pakistans "deadliest day" is 17 deaths. In the UK cases aren't even counted anymore. Deaths are 2000 a day. And then they criticise IK.

I didn't understand. How UK is tracking of the cases then if those aren't reported?

 

[Abdullah719]

In a first, PIA to operate direct flights to US

The United States Department of Transportation has granted permission to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to conduct direct flights to the US, the airline's spokesman Abdullah Hafeez confirmed on Thursday.

This is the first time Pakistan's national flag carrier will be operating direct flights to the US. Hafeez said before the 9/11 attacks, PIA planes did not have the capacity to fly directly to the US, which is why they had to make a stop somewhere.

However, after the attacks, US authorities had refused permission for direct flights because of security reasons up until now, the spokesman told Dawn.com.

According to a letter by the US Department of Transportation, dated April 29, PIA will be allowed to operate twelve round-trip or one-way passenger or cargo flights. The permission will expire on April 29, 2021.

PIA will be bound to inform the transportation department, in writing, of the route it took for any passenger or cargo chartered flights no less than five business days after the operation.

For any passenger flight, which is headed to the US from a destination outside Pakistan, PIA will have to inform, in writing, the transportation department of the route it is taking three business days before the operation. If the airline chooses to operate or change the route of a flight less than three business days before its planned departure, it can request the department to waive off the requirement "upon a showing of good cause".

In case a PIA flight is headed to the US from an airport outside Pakistan, it must obtain a security clearance from the Transportation Security Administration. Furthermore, the aircraft flying to the US must have the authorisation document issued by the transportation department.

Apart from the above conditions, PIA must also comply with the rules and regulations set by other concerned US departments, including the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the International Civil Aviation Organisation's standards.

The airline must also comply with all "US government requirements concerning security".

The aircraft allowed to enter the US are:

Boeing's model B777-240LR, serial number 33781 (registration number AP-BGY)

Boeing model B777-240LR, serial number 33782 (registration number AP-BGZ)

Owing to security concerns, the US had not allowed any direct flight that originated from a Pakistani airport into its airspace. In October 2017, the PIA discontinued its flights to the US because of rising operational cost and in a bid to cut losses it had been facing.

However, PIA officials have been trying to obtain clearance from the US and negotiations have been underway for the past two years. In March this year, a US Transportation Security Administration had arrived in Pakistan to conduct a final security inspection.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1553448/in-a-first-pia-to-operate-direct-flights-to-us

 

[the Great Khan]

I didn't understand. How UK is tracking of the cases then if those aren't reported?

they are only taking into account hospital cases, so the true numbers are really unknown. Testing is rubbish, there is no tracing as far as I can tell. No isolation other than Lockdown. In comparison india and pakistan are going to whatever lengths they can to save lives. the UK gave up in March..They are waiting for the peak to naturally come down. Then they will call it success, make boris a knight and sell poor countries a vaccine at extortionate prices.

 

[Arsal_AK]

they are only taking into account hospital cases, so the true numbers are really unknown. Testing is rubbish, there is no tracing as far as I can tell. No isolation other than Lockdown. In comparison india and pakistan are going to whatever lengths they can to save lives. the UK gave up in March..They are waiting for the peak to naturally come down. Then they will call it success, make boris a knight and sell poor countries a vaccine at extortionate prices.

Not even remotely true. All of this applies to the subcontinent too, more so as here we really don't know how many are dying at home and how many asymptomatic/mild cases there are.

Testing is criminally low as we are doing not even 10k tests whereas we were promised 20-25 k by May.

 

[Abdullah719]

8249 tests done yesterday.

 

[Abdullah719]

4427 cases in Karachi.

299 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

 

[Abdullah719]

Millions of Pakistani laborers struggle amid COVID-19 lockdown

Hundreds of charged laborers, including women, gathered outside a garment factory in the eastern district of Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi to protest against their forced layoff only a week before the International Labor Day.

They, in fact, came to receive their salaries but they were verbally informed that the factory no longer required their services due to the financial losses caused by a lingering lockdown imposed by the government to curb the raging coronavirus outbreak in the country.

A few kilometers away, another demonstration was held outside a famous textile company, which also laid off hundreds of laborers citing the same reason.

"It's happening in all over Pakistan [nowadays]. Laborers, especially daily wagers, and contract employees are being laid off without any notice," said Shams-ur-Rehman Swati, president of National Labor Federation (NLF), a conglomerate of different labor unions in Pakistan.

"Every day, hundreds of laborers are being laid off across the country since the government imposed the lockdown last month," Swati told Anadolu Agency.

Spoiler

The massive layoffs coincide with Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for not firing the employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has recently announced incentives for the private companies who will not fire their employees due to the ongoing economic slowdown. However, according to the labor unions, thousands of laborers have been fired in the last two months in the country.

In addition, the government has launched Ehsas (care) Emergency Cash Program to provide financial assistance of 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($75) each to some 12 million families affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Pakistan has been under lockdown since last month and will continue until May 9 as the country reported a total of 15,759 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 346 deaths so far.

Different Labor Day

According to the Ministry of Planning, 12.3 million to 18.5 million Pakistanis will lose their jobs, whereas the economy will concede a colossal loss of 2-2.5 trillion Pakistani rupees ($12.42-15.52 billion) due to “moderate to severe shocks from the coronavirus outbreak.”

The informal laborers -- which according to labor unions, account for 75% of the country's total 65 million workforce -- will be the worst hit. Around 40% of them are in agriculture sector, while remaining work in services, manufacturing, and other sectors, according to the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and & Research (PILER), a non-governmental think tank, which deals with labor affairs.

"These informal laborers are not registered anywhere. They do not have any social security or legal cover. Millions of them will lose their jobs, I fear," Karamat Ali, the secretary of Pakistan Labour Council and executive director of PILER, told Anadolu Agency.

The Labor day is going to miss the traditional fanfare this year due to the coronavirus lockdown.

"This will be a completely different Labor Day as the laborers never faced situation like this. On the one hand, they are facing unemployment, and hunger, while on the other, a deadly disease like coronavirus," Ali observed.

There will be no rallies, seminars, and other public gatherings to mark the day for the first time in the country's 72-year history.

"We are not worried about that. We are worried about millions of our laborers, who have already been laid off or are going to lose their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis," Ali maintained.

The PILER plans to hold some online events to discuss ways of dealing with the massive layoffs on May 1.

Swati said: "Pakistani laborer today is not thinking about the May Day. He is more worried about the hunger looming on him, and his family due to unemployment.”

System exposed

Swati observed that the ongoing wheat harvesting, the reopening of construction and some other low-risk industries, and Ehsas program by the government provided some relief to the laborers.

Liaquat Ali Sahi, a Karachi-based trade unionist, opined that the coronavirus crisis has exposed the country's labor system.

"Our government has now come to know that the country's 75% to 80% labor force is unregistered, and informal. They have no appointment letters. They are working without any social security or the legal protection," said Sahi, who is also the secretary of State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) employees union.

"It's a settled law as per Pakistan's Constitution that any person who works for an organization for 90 consecutive days, is automatically considered a permanent employee, and deserves social security, and other benefits. But where on earth this law is being followed," he told Anadolu Agency.

"Even in the SBP, a majority of low-ranking employees have either been hired through a third party or are working on contract basis," he claimed.

The government has bound the employers to provide the lists of their employees, and their bank account details to the banks, if they wanted to borrow loans exclusively announced for the coronavirus-hit industries.

"Most of the employers have no such lists and bank account details because their employees have been hired through a third-party," Sahi said, adding: "But, even if they provide the required details, they will have to tell the government why their employees are not registered with the social security department."

The coronavirus crisis, he thought, had provided an opportunity to the government, and the private sector to overhaul the entire employment system in the country.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacif...orers-struggle-amid-covid-19-lockdown/1824231

 

[last_knight]

Millions of Pakistani laborers struggle amid COVID-19 lockdown

Hundreds of charged laborers, including women, gathered outside a garment factory in the eastern district of Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi to protest against their forced layoff only a week before the International Labor Day.

They, in fact, came to receive their salaries but they were verbally informed that the factory no longer required their services due to the financial losses caused by a lingering lockdown imposed by the government to curb the raging coronavirus outbreak in the country.

A few kilometers away, another demonstration was held outside a famous textile company, which also laid off hundreds of laborers citing the same reason.

"It's happening in all over Pakistan [nowadays]. Laborers, especially daily wagers, and contract employees are being laid off without any notice," said Shams-ur-Rehman Swati, president of National Labor Federation (NLF), a conglomerate of different labor unions in Pakistan.

"Every day, hundreds of laborers are being laid off across the country since the government imposed the lockdown last month," Swati told Anadolu Agency.

Spoiler

The massive layoffs coincide with Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for not firing the employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has recently announced incentives for the private companies who will not fire their employees due to the ongoing economic slowdown. However, according to the labor unions, thousands of laborers have been fired in the last two months in the country.

In addition, the government has launched Ehsas (care) Emergency Cash Program to provide financial assistance of 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($75) each to some 12 million families affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Pakistan has been under lockdown since last month and will continue until May 9 as the country reported a total of 15,759 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 346 deaths so far.

Different Labor Day

According to the Ministry of Planning, 12.3 million to 18.5 million Pakistanis will lose their jobs, whereas the economy will concede a colossal loss of 2-2.5 trillion Pakistani rupees ($12.42-15.52 billion) due to “moderate to severe shocks from the coronavirus outbreak.”

The informal laborers -- which according to labor unions, account for 75% of the country's total 65 million workforce -- will be the worst hit. Around 40% of them are in agriculture sector, while remaining work in services, manufacturing, and other sectors, according to the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and & Research (PILER), a non-governmental think tank, which deals with labor affairs.

"These informal laborers are not registered anywhere. They do not have any social security or legal cover. Millions of them will lose their jobs, I fear," Karamat Ali, the secretary of Pakistan Labour Council and executive director of PILER, told Anadolu Agency.

The Labor day is going to miss the traditional fanfare this year due to the coronavirus lockdown.

"This will be a completely different Labor Day as the laborers never faced situation like this. On the one hand, they are facing unemployment, and hunger, while on the other, a deadly disease like coronavirus," Ali observed.

There will be no rallies, seminars, and other public gatherings to mark the day for the first time in the country's 72-year history.

"We are not worried about that. We are worried about millions of our laborers, who have already been laid off or are going to lose their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis," Ali maintained.

The PILER plans to hold some online events to discuss ways of dealing with the massive layoffs on May 1.

Swati said: "Pakistani laborer today is not thinking about the May Day. He is more worried about the hunger looming on him, and his family due to unemployment.”

System exposed

Swati observed that the ongoing wheat harvesting, the reopening of construction and some other low-risk industries, and Ehsas program by the government provided some relief to the laborers.

Liaquat Ali Sahi, a Karachi-based trade unionist, opined that the coronavirus crisis has exposed the country's labor system.

"Our government has now come to know that the country's 75% to 80% labor force is unregistered, and informal. They have no appointment letters. They are working without any social security or the legal protection," said Sahi, who is also the secretary of State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) employees union.

"It's a settled law as per Pakistan's Constitution that any person who works for an organization for 90 consecutive days, is automatically considered a permanent employee, and deserves social security, and other benefits. But where on earth this law is being followed," he told Anadolu Agency.

"Even in the SBP, a majority of low-ranking employees have either been hired through a third party or are working on contract basis," he claimed.

The government has bound the employers to provide the lists of their employees, and their bank account details to the banks, if they wanted to borrow loans exclusively announced for the coronavirus-hit industries.

"Most of the employers have no such lists and bank account details because their employees have been hired through a third-party," Sahi said, adding: "But, even if they provide the required details, they will have to tell the government why their employees are not registered with the social security department."

The coronavirus crisis, he thought, had provided an opportunity to the government, and the private sector to overhaul the entire employment system in the country.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacif...orers-struggle-amid-covid-19-lockdown/1824231

Billionaire blood leeches will get away with this. They can still claim heavy funds from govt for not laying off employees because daily wagers are not registered as employees and at some units they constitute 60-70% of labour. They can lay off 50% (unregistered labour) and still submit record of 100% labour attendance.

 

[the Great Khan]

Not even remotely true. All of this applies to the subcontinent too, more so as here we really don't know how many are dying at home and how many asymptomatic/mild cases there are.

Testing is criminally low as we are doing not even 10k tests whereas we were promised 20-25 k by May.

you cant hide deaths. Thats how most people in the UK know whats going on. just looking at the funerals and the state of the burials.

You can say the stats in Pakistan are wrong or whatever but this thing kills within 24 to 48 hrs. If the numbers in india and pakistan are wrong we should be seeing janazas all over the place like in the UK..they are digging mass graves for goodness sake. I go to the grave yard regularly im seeing fresh graves all over..

 

[Kianig89]

Corona virus spreading like fire but govt acting as salt on wound lockdown all but over in Pakistan Nadra offices to open 4th may so will Public Parks and transportation by 9th may
Lack of leaders2

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

you cant hide deaths. Thats how most people in the UK know whats going on. just looking at the funerals and the state of the burials.

You can say the stats in Pakistan are wrong or whatever but this thing kills within 24 to 48 hrs. If the numbers in india and pakistan are wrong we should be seeing janazas all over the place like in the UK..they are digging mass graves for goodness sake. I go to the grave yard regularly im seeing fresh graves all over..

Going to agree with you, there may be some unreported deaths like in Bengal in India which may get unnoticed but death at large scale cannot be hidden.
And after crisis is over we can compare this year deaths to last year's death in same time reference to get the clear picture, after removing accidental one, or murder etc

 

[finalfantasy7]

so how many ventilators have been built by us

 

[Syed1]

so how many ventilators have been built by us

DRAP is taking its sweet time to approve indigenous ventilators

 

[MRSN]

a record 990 cases reported with 24 deaths in last 24 hours.

 

[MRSN]

8000 total test conducted in the last 24 hours and 990 test were positive which is 8% positive cases. Not looking good.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

8000 total test conducted in the last 24 hours and 990 test were positive which is 8% positive cases. Not looking good.

The virus is most likely widely spread throughout the world and research is showing the actual numbers are 50X higher. Its simple, more testing = more cases. The more people get affected, the more it builds immunity and eventualy 70-80% of world population will be infected (according to WHO). Only purpose of lockdowns is to not let the hospital be overrun beyond their capacity. That's it. Its about slowing the spread, not stopping the spread.

 

[AMSS]

8000 total test conducted in the last 24 hours and 990 test were positive which is 8% positive cases. Not looking good.

Calcuate again.

 

[King-Misbah]

8000 total test conducted in the last 24 hours and 990 test were positive which is 8% positive cases. Not looking good.

That is actually 12%. Well, I dont think it is something to worry too much about as at the moment. I think the testing is on the people that may be likely to have the virus. These are travellers, their traces, people who have been in close contact with positive people etc. I believe this is not random testing at the moment.

 

[MenInG]

PM Khan says Pakistan will further ease lockdown

More businesses and industries will be allowed to reopen in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said, according to Dawn news.

The country has recorded 16,697 cases and 385 deaths so far.

Mr Khan said the virus was less intense in Pakistan compared to the United States or Europe - a statement he has made before.

He said the decision to reopen was taken after consulting leaders in Egypt and Iran, which have also started to reopen, because the economic cost of continuing the lockdown was too high.

"Iran and Egypt have opened all businesses by maintaining a ban on public gatherings and we will also further ease lockdown by sharing information with these states,” he said.

 

[MenInG]

Infections amongst healthcare workers increase by 75pc within a week

At least 191 more healthcare providers and medical workers have tested positive for the coronavirus within a week, according to data shared by the National Emergency Operation Centre.

An earlier report shared by the centre on April 23 had revealed that at least 253 healthcare workers in the country had been infected by the coronavirus. That number has now jumped by 191, or 75 per cent, to 444.

The latest report, which has data up until April 29, shows 216 doctors, 67 nurses and 161 healthcare staff have tested positive across the country up until now. Of these, 204 are in isolation at homes, 138 are admitted to hospitals while 94 have recovered from the virus.

 

[MRSN]

Calcuate again.

lol yeah my bad. Math is not my strong subject.

 

[the Great Khan]

Going to agree with you, there may be some unreported deaths like in Bengal in India which may get unnoticed but death at large scale cannot be hidden.
And after crisis is over we can compare this year deaths to last year's death in same time reference to get the clear picture, after removing accidental one, or murder etc

especially in India and Pakistan where funerals can become focal points for grief and criticism. Imagine in our tightly bunched together muhallas if you have ten deaths within a week and you have to organise the funerals. Imagine the outppouring and anger. And then imagine those ten a day across all muhallas..

you would have a uprising against any govt in charge. This innuendo about real numbers etc is from the west who are looking at the number of cases in our countries and wondering how those dirty brownies have kept deaths so low. While then looking at their own numbers sky rocket.

worst case Pakistan and India have given themselves time before proper treatment and vaccines can be introduced. I hear India has started to introduce smart lockdowns with a colour coded traffic light system like China. I suspect Pakistan is also preparing to do this within the next month or so to aid with the smart lock down process.

just wish we could collaborate more in this area...pity..

 

[the Great Khan]

Corona virus spreading like fire but govt acting as salt on wound lockdown all but over in Pakistan Nadra offices to open 4th may so will Public Parks and transportation by 9th may
Lack of leaders2

yup lack of leadership..lets lockdown for a longer period and watch poor people die of starvation. But they are poor so who cares? we have to ape the west and be seen to be western.

Every country has their own way of handling it. Smart lockdowns with good data, testing tracing and quarantining is the only way in Pakistan. There is no other option.

If only the waderas and choars had made proper medical infrastructure and technological advancements. but no, they just used to use London for their treatment. Who cares about the poor right?

 

[IndianHero]

In indian media it's being said that pakistan's national assembly speaker got effected with COVID - 19

I read that he gave some party against govt's orders and one of his guests had COVID

 

[Abdullah719]

In indian media it's being said that pakistan's national assembly speaker got effected with COVID - 19

I read that he gave some party against govt's orders and one of his guests had COVID

First part is correct.

NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, family in 'self-quarantine' after testing positive for COVID-19

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser said Thursday he was "in self-quarantine" after he tested positive for the novel COVID-19 virus.

"I have put myself in self-quarantine," Qaiser said on Twitter, confirming he had the virus.

"I request the entire nation to take precautions and to pray for my recovery," he said.

The NA speaker noted that he had symptoms of fever for the past couple of days and had himself tested earlier as well. At that time, however, the result was negative.

"Today, when I had myself tested again, the report came out positive," he added. "I have been advised to stay at home and take care.

"The test results of my son and daughter have also come out positive," Qaiser added.

Qaiser becomes the latest politician and third PTI leader to test positive for the virus. On Monday, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail announced that he was infected with COVID-19 but vowed to "fight it out".

Prior to that, PPP lawmaker Rana Hamir Singh, of Sindh Assembly, tested positive for COVID-19.

PTI's MPA from Mardan, Abdul Salam Afridi, had tested also positive for the novel virus. Apart from that, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani had contracted the virus last month. Both Ghani and Afridi have recovered now.

MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed of Sindh Assembly also contracted positive for the virus, as did eight of his family members reportedly.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/6...uarantine-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19

Second part sounds dubious.

 

[MenInG]

Saudi Arabia donates ration for 20,000 families in Islamabad

Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri visited the Saudi Maktab-i-Dawah in Islamabad, where the Saudi ambassador announced donating 20,000 ration bags for residents of Islamabad amid the coronavirus crisis.

Qadri thanked Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki for the gesture and remarked that Saudi Arabia has "supported Pakistan in every moment of difficulty".

 

[saeedhk]

Those who are doing bhangra and comparing Pakistan with the UK and US and downplaying the severity of Coronavirus in Pakistan are lying to themselves.

The majority of cases of the virus are not reported because most people refuse to go the hospital or they are too poor to go to the hospital even if they show symptoms of Coronavirus. Hence, even if these people die at home, these deaths are not contributed to Coronavirus which explains Pakistan’s relatively low virus count.

Pakistanis are even bringing the virus to Hong Kong. After a week of no cases in Hong Kong, today, authorities reported two imported cases of Coronavirus from Pakistan.

I would request Pakistanis to stop patting themselves on the backs!

 

[Syed1]

Those who are doing bhangra and comparing Pakistan with the UK and US and downplaying the severity of Coronavirus in Pakistan are lying to themselves.

The majority of cases of the virus are not reported because most people refuse to go the hospital or they are too poor to go to the hospital even if they show symptoms of Coronavirus. Hence, even if these people die at home, these deaths are not contributed to Coronavirus which explains Pakistan’s relatively low virus count.

Pakistanis are even bringing the virus to Hong Kong. After a week of no cases in Hong Kong, today, authorities reported two imported cases of Coronavirus from Pakistan.

I would request Pakistanis to stop patting themselves on the backs!

You have a habit of making things up. First of all I haven't come across any Pakistani who is doing bhangra at our state and state of US, UK, as you are saying.


Secondly it is an established fact that the corona is not having the same impact in not just Pakistan but also in India and Bangladesh as it is having in US and Europe. You can hide the number of positive cases but sure as hell you cannot hide the number of people dying in this day and age. Maybe it is your own personal desire to see more deaths.


Thirdly, every single country of the world is suffering from the virus. No one is under the false impression that Pakistan is on top of it. Every single government is just trying to manage and minimize destruction. Yesterday a flight landed from Qatar and as is procedure all passengers were quarantined for 2 days and then tested, 40 passengers tested positive, and Qatar has even less cases than Pakistan.



So don't project your desire for more deaths as failure of Pakistan.

 

[saeedhk]

You have a habit of making things up. First of all I haven't come across any Pakistani who is doing bhangra at our state and state of US, UK, as you are saying.


Secondly it is an established fact that the corona is not having the same impact in not just Pakistan but also in India and Bangladesh as it is having in US and Europe. You can hide the number of positive cases but sure as hell you cannot hide the number of people dying in this day and age. Maybe it is your own personal desire to see more deaths.


Thirdly, every single country of the world is suffering from the virus. No one is under the false impression that Pakistan is on top of it. Every single government is just trying to manage and minimize destruction. Yesterday a flight landed from Qatar and as is procedure all passengers were quarantined for 2 days and then tested, 40 passengers tested positive, and Qatar has even less cases than Pakistan.



So don't project your desire for more deaths as failure of Pakistan.

Stop lying to yourself. In the other threads, people are saying how Pakistan had had so few cases while completely ignoring the reasons behind it.

Pakistan lacks testing kits and given the state of the medical facilities, very minimal testing is being done hence fewer cases of the virus. Pakistan is a poor country; people do not seek medical care so Coronavirus cases are not being registered.

 

[Syed1]

Ok sir you are correct and I'm wrong... Sorry I bothered explaining it using logic and rationality, and basing my reply on available data.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Those who are doing bhangra and comparing Pakistan with the UK and US and downplaying the severity of Coronavirus in Pakistan are lying to themselves.

The majority of cases of the virus are not reported because most people refuse to go the hospital or they are too poor to go to the hospital even if they show symptoms of Coronavirus. Hence, even if these people die at home, these deaths are not contributed to Coronavirus which explains Pakistan’s relatively low virus count.

Pakistanis are even bringing the virus to Hong Kong. After a week of no cases in Hong Kong, today, authorities reported two imported cases of Coronavirus from Pakistan.

I would request Pakistanis to stop patting themselves on the backs!

Can you prove that Pakistan are lying about the numbers.

Because my dad came back from Pakistan last week - he only came back as he was on the vulnerable list- this plane was organised by the British embassy.
Now he said in faisalabad - not many cases, he came back from lahore- which had many cases.

However he was still travelling around southern Punjab from multan- bhawalphur, mainly around the bhawalnagur area and many villages outside faisalabad.

Dad saying news reports are true, yes we all believe that thr will be cases which people haven't confirmed due to the person not attending a medical practice which will be counting - but like we all know this will be occurring in India, and all developing countries.

 

[last_knight]

Stop lying to yourself. In the other threads, people are saying how Pakistan had had so few cases while completely ignoring the reasons behind it.

Pakistan lacks testing kits and given the state of the medical facilities, very minimal testing is being done hence fewer cases of the virus. Pakistan is a poor country; people do not seek medical care so Coronavirus cases are not being registered.

Test or not, Corona is here to stay for quite some time. Even if some countries are hiding cases, 75% of world population is estimated to get infected and a big portion will never get tested, particularly the asymptomatic ones who are 80% of all infected ones.
For every symptomatic case, there are 4 asymptomatics​ and they will never get tested.

At the end of the day, true indicator is number of deaths.One hidden and unattended death in a remote village means you have to hide another 5 because pandemics cause deaths in clusters. If that's the case everyone will seek medical care including those who routinely don't seek medical care. Realistically it's not possible to hide pandemic cluster-deaths.

Even in normal circumstances every death has to be notified by family to office of relevant Union Council, cities or remote villages. So a cluster of deaths in any​ area can't go unnoticed or unreported.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[Kianig89]

Circus continues in Pakistan "PM we will ease lockdown" KP govt Lockdown extended till 15 May, Sindh thinking about lockdown till end of Ramadan a complete lack of cooperation and dont bring the rubbish argument of provinces are independent then.what is for PM 24 km Islamabad

 

[Abdullah719]

Karachi sees biggest single-day jump in Covid-19 cases, makes up over a quarter of country's tally

446 of the 662 coronavirus cases recorded in Sindh during the last 24 hours were reported from Karachi, the city's biggest single-day jump in confirmed infections so far.

Karachi now has 4,873 cases of Covid-19, making up over a quarter of Pakistan's total tally of 17,611 cases.

https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/

 

[Abdullah719]

Karachi's Covid-19 infections near 5,000 as Sindh reports 622 cases

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Karachi jumped by 446 on Friday, taking the total to 4,873 — over a quarter of Pakistan's total of 17,611.

Covid-19 cases have risen almost 200pc in Karachi over the last 11 days, from 1,691 on April 20 to 4,873 on May 1.

According to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, 3,384 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the province during the past 24 hours out of which 622 had come back positive, taking the provincial total to 6,675; this means that nearly 20pc of the tests conducted came back positive.

In a statement released by the CM House on Friday, the chief minister said that six more deaths had been reported in Sindh during the past 24 hours, taking the toll to 118.

"This means that Sindh's death toll makes up 1.76 per cent of the total number of patients."

Shah said that 57,761 tests have been conducted in the province so far out of which 6,675 have come back positive.

"Currently, 5,262 patients are being treated for Covid-19 while 4,044 — 77pc — are isolating at home. Further, 733 are being kept at isolation centres and 485 at different hospitals."

Shah added that 45 patients were in critical condition, while 16 of them were on ventilators.

Spoiler

Giving details about stranded nationals, the chief minister said that 483 Pakistanis had arrived at Jinnah International Airport from Dubai, Sharjah and Colombo.

"Out of these, 190 passengers tested positive; 92 belong to Sindh, 56 to Punjab, 24 to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 18 to Balochistan," he said.

Elaborating on the statistics for Karachi, the chief minister said that 446 cases have been reported in the city out of which 173 emerged in Malir, 92 in District East, 70 in District South, 56 in District Central, 33 in District West and 22 in Korangi.

He added that 17 cases have emerged in Ghotki, 19 in Hyderabad, 11 in Jacobabad, 23 in Larkana, 15 in Shikarpur and six in Sukkur.

Shah explained that if the 190 nationals that returned to the country were excluded from the total count, there would be 472 local cases.

"This figure shows us that the Covid-19 outbreak is still wreaking havoc in Sindh," he said, urging the people to adhere to precautionary measures for curbing the spread of the virus.

Shah also praised health department officials as well as doctors and paramedical staff and technicians handling testing. He paid a tribute to their services and urged citizens to respect their services.

Earlier, the Sindh chief minister had expressed the concern about the spread of the virus in slum areas after informing the public that seven members of one family had been infected in Karachi.

He had urged the people who were going out to receive ration bags or cash being distributed by the government, to take precautionary measures and practice social distancing.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1553730/karachis-covid-19-infections-near-5000-as-sindh-reports-622-cases

 

[Abdullah719]

622 positive of 3384 tests? That is extremely concerning.

 

[King-Misbah]

622 positive of 3384 tests? That is extremely concerning.

These are not random tests I believe. These are tests of people who the authority believed may have corona. The random testing phase is next. This is what I generally got from Dr Yasmin Rashids interview.

 

[finalfantasy7]

DRAP is taking its sweet time to approve indigenous ventilators

ok, how about testing, roughly in total how many test are we doing daily

 

[King-Misbah]

ok, how about testing, roughly in total how many test are we doing daily

The testing at the moment is not reflective of the capacity built. Dr Yasmin said that they do not have samples yet to test and this is why the testing numbers stagnated. They currently tested travellers, jamaat people, high risk people and contacts. I believe random testing will start soon. Ofcourse, testing has to be done smartly as Pakistan simply won't be able to test 200 000 000+ people.

 

[Saj]

1,275 cases of Covid19 in Pakistan in the last 24 hours with 32 deaths.

Total tests conducted in 24 hours are 7,971 just like previous days but the number of positive cases has nearly doubled.

16 out of 100 people are testing positive.

Total Cases: 18,090
Total Deaths: 417

 

[Syed1]

Quite concerning statistics for today. As predicted Ramzaan is going to be quite dangerous. I bet people are having iftar parties and ijtimai taraweehs. Allah mian inko aqal de.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

 

[Abdullah719]

Highest number of tests conducted yesterday: Dr Zafar Mirza

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has said that yesterday Pakistan conducted the highest number of tests yet.

"We conducted 9,164 tests conducted yesterday, the highest so far and we expect the testing capacity to also increase further," he said.

"Most number of patients in last 24 hours were from Sindh. They reported 622 cases yesterday. The highest number of deaths reported in 24 hours is 32, this was reported yesterday," Mirza said.

"Out of 32 deaths, 31 occurred at hospitals and one at home. 14 of these people were on ventilators.

"Pakistan's death rate is still less than the projected numbers and secondly when we see the worldwide situation, it is far less than that. If you take care of yourself, it is guaranteed that you and your family will stay safe."

https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan registered its singled biggest jump in Coronavirus cases on May 1 at 1,297 cases

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Punjab records 640 new cases, 6 deaths

Punjab has reported 640 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, the highest jump in a day. The total number of cases in the province is now 7,494.

The health department also recorded six new deaths in Punjab, taking the provincial death toll to 121.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2. 90% of 1500 capacity used, which is great. Testing is happening at Swat, Abbottabad, DI Khan, HMC Peshawar; and less than 10% is conducted by private sector labs on private payment. We continue to try to be as transparent as possible on data by giving a detailed breakdown. <a href="https://t.co/FiAoQeL1LD">pic.twitter.com/FiAoQeL1LD</a></p>— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jhagra/status/1256860996741877760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan ‘s Coronavirus cases nearing 20,000 - Deaths from the disease nearing 500

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[MenInG]

Another 14 doctors in KP infected with Covid-19: YDA

Another 14 doctors in Khyber Pakhtunwa have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Young Doctors Association.

Ten of them are working at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar while four others are working in Bannu, the statement read.

With the new cases, 89 doctors in the province have become infected with Covid-19, out of which 24 are from LRH, the statement added.

 

[MenInG]

 

[The Viper]

Days it took to reach 5,000 Coronavirus cases in Pakistan:

First 5,000 cases 45 days
2nd 5,000 cases 11 days
3rd 5,000 cases 7 days
4th 5,000 cases 4 days

 

[last_knight]

Another 14 doctors in KP infected with Covid-19: YDA

Another 14 doctors in Khyber Pakhtunwa have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Young Doctors Association.

Ten of them are working at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar while four others are working in Bannu, the statement read.

With the new cases, 89 doctors in the province have become infected with Covid-19, out of which 24 are from LRH, the statement added.

Stay strong everyone.
Stay safe [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[sjahmed23]

Things look pretty bleak. I think Pakistan now has to ride this out and wait for the peak. Not sure if Pakistan's peak will look similar to western country's because of less strictness.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In no time &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; has achieved sufficiency in PPEs production. 5 grps r working on developing local ventilators. This is the inspiring spirit of &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;. A recent exhibition of local med equipmnts led by <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fawadchaudhry</a> & inaugurated by <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> was a testimony to this spirit. <298> <a href="https://t.co/wkNgmCHbe2">pic.twitter.com/wkNgmCHbe2</a></p>— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) <a href="https://twitter.com/zfrmrza/status/1257190717987917825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GBK_Fan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In no time &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; has achieved sufficiency in PPEs production. 5 grps r working on developing local ventilators. This is the inspiring spirit of &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;. A recent exhibition of local med equipmnts led by <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fawadchaudhry</a> & inaugurated by <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> was a testimony to this spirit. <298> <a href="https://t.co/wkNgmCHbe2">pic.twitter.com/wkNgmCHbe2</a></p>— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) <a href="https://twitter.com/zfrmrza/status/1257190717987917825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Where is the social distancing and masks

 

[Abdullah719]

Where is the social distancing and masks

Doesn't seem to be considered for these photo-ops

 

[MenInG]

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In Pakistan we have been seeing 24 days a day from coronavirus - but also in Pakistan we see around 800 lives lost in traffic accident in an average month - but that doesn't mean we ban the use of cars in the country & we still allow traffic: Planning Minister Asad Umar <a href="https://t.co/vvd5wupFMT">pic.twitter.com/vvd5wupFMT</a></p>— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/1257345134070509572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In Pakistan we have been seeing 24 days a day from coronavirus - but also in Pakistan we see around 800 lives lost in traffic accident in an average month - but that doesn't mean we ban the use of cars in the country & we still allow traffic: Planning Minister Asad Umar <a href="https://t.co/vvd5wupFMT">pic.twitter.com/vvd5wupFMT</a></p>— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/1257345134070509572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As expected Dawn will try to give their own spin to it. He had a half an hour data filled address and obviously the paindus at Dawn couldn't catch much of it. The gist of what Asad was saying that those wanting complete lockdown of the country are incorrect because of a whole plethora of reasons (which he went over) including the car accidents one.

 

[Arsal_AK]

As expected Dawn will try to give their own spin to it. He had a half an hour data filled address and obviously the paindus at Dawn couldn't catch much of it. The gist of what Asad was saying that those wanting complete lockdown of the country are incorrect because of a whole plethora of reasons (which he went over) including the car accidents one.

The comparison is very bad no matter what the intention might be and it's fair game to criticize it. And no business being in a logical data driven address as you put it.

Car accidents don't threaten to totally crumble your health care system for one, covid does.

 

[MenInG]

 

[the Great Khan]

those stats above show some encouragement. No deaths in AJK, Only 3 and only 4 in Islamabad. 49 recoveries in AJk too.

If we can half the numbers of deaths in Punjab and Sindh then the country could be well on its way..
Whats interesting is that out of 7000 odd cases only 137 have died in Sindh for example?

A lot of work still to be done..

 

[Arsal_AK]

those stats above show some encouragement. No deaths in AJK, Only 3 and only 4 in Islamabad. 49 recoveries in AJk too.

If we can half the numbers of deaths in Punjab and Sindh then the country could be well on its way..
Whats interesting is that out of 7000 odd cases only 137 have died in Sindh for example?

A lot of work still to be done..

Deaths generally lag behind a couple of weeks, recoveries 2-3.

But you are right, the death rate is low, a good sign for us, and that is keeping in mind that we are testing very less. The number of mild and asymptomatic cases are surely much more. So that will drive the IFR even lower.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today is day 9 of my Quarantine, I am felling a lot better. Had a few symptoms like coughing, fever & a little shortness of breath earlier which is now fading out. Will get my retest done tomorrow. Thankful to all those who prayed for me. Allah Kareem has been kind. <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a></p>— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranIsmailPTI/status/1257596684898574341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Does Pakistan’s Covid mortality offer hope?

Some media commentators term the idea of finding hope in mortality rate “insensitive". Others rubbish the idea of finding hope in relatively lower mortality versus other countries, and instead insist on focusing on how every other day Pakistan reports “record" cases and deaths. There are those claiming vindication of stances, on weekly trends, toeing “I-told-you-so". Others have held on too long on the first formed view, as if giving up on an earlier stance is a matter of ego.

It makes more sense for a situation as evolving as Covid, to also hold views that can change with the situation. Rigidity is not an option. It is not black and white between lockdown and no lockdown. It is not either or. It appears the federal government's focus has moved on from number of positive cases to hospitalization ratio and deaths.

Asad Umar invited ire when he drew heart from Pakistan's visibly slower mortality rate as compared to other countries. He was not entirely wrong in doing that. While the more medical and technical aspects are best left to the experts, analyzing trends does not necessarily need a medicine expert. Whichever way you decide to take a look, Pakistan's situation does indicate a much better situation, than most others with higher deaths reported than Pakistan.

Days taken for doubling of deaths is considered a key indicator of growth rate. Pakistan has the lowest (or the best) doubling death rate at 450 deaths (Pakistan's number on May 3) alongside Philippines, Romania and Poland (see map).

In terms of total deaths since fifth reported death, at day 41, Pakistan has the lowest number of deaths amongst all countries at this stage. This sure is a heartening piece of statistic, especially given the fragile state of healthcare infrastructure at home, which can crumble at anything even close to resembling overburden.

That said, the daily death curve is still rising and looks days behind peak. Even in a rising curve, there is hope. Hope that is relative, but hope, nonetheless. Pakistan's daily deaths since the first day of five daily deaths reported, are considerably lower than any other country to have reached the mark of 27 days at least.

More hope could be drawn from the curve of countries ahead in terms of number of days since five daily deaths. The curve usually seems to be bending in some cases, and flattening in others, around 35-40 days. Pakistan is less than two weeks away from that period. Should Pakistan's death rate keep showing the kind of resistance it has, the peak may well be seen earlier than was previously expected.

Hope, by no means should lead to complacency or chest thumping. Simultaneous efforts to test, trace and test, alongside beefing up healthcare facilities and improving workplace SOPs must continue. The pandemic has offered Pakistan a rare chance to show the world that it still has the resolve to come out victorious.

https://www.brecorder.com/2020/05/05/594229/does-pakistans-covid-mortality-offer-hope/

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taimur Jhagra says KP is following the WHO protocols for testing which includes testing post mortem, which might be why KP has a higher mortality rate <a href="https://t.co/IXrESPUsxu">pic.twitter.com/IXrESPUsxu</a></p>— Arifa Noor (@arifanoor72) <a href="https://twitter.com/arifanoor72/status/1257600842993209344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">211 new cases (58 from international flights quarantine) were reported in past 24 hours taking tally to 3,499. 9 new deaths were confirmed (5 Peshawar, 1 each Charsadda, Mardan, Mansehra, Haripur) taking tally to 194. 19 new recoveries reported taking tally to 875 in KP. <a href="https://t.co/kcFlIO139x">pic.twitter.com/kcFlIO139x</a></p>— Health Department KP (@HealthKPGovt) <a href="https://twitter.com/HealthKPGovt/status/1257674838069653505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD/DUBAI (Reuters) - Pakistan has raised concerns with the United Arab Emirates that many citizens were returning home from the Gulf Arab state infected with COVID-19 and that crowded living conditions in the UAE may be helping spread the virus, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

“Both (governments) are working together to find (an) optimal solution to this shared concern,” ministry spokeswoman Aisha Farooqi told Reuters in a WhatsApp message.

A UAE foreign ministry official later said the government “completely rejects this version of events”.

“Everyone on UAE repatriation flights has been tested before departure, and those found to be infected were not allowed to travel,” Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs Khalid al-Mazrouei told Reuters.

The official did not address Islamabad’s concerns about living conditions.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that on a flight from Abu Dhabi in late April, 105 of the 209 passengers on board tested positive. Pakistan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the figure.

The UAE is home to around 1.5 million Pakistanis, many of whom are low-wage workers living in crowded housing and are now out of work and stranded due to the coronavirus crisis.

Repatriation flights began last month after tens of thousands of Pakistanis in the UAE asked their government to be flown home. The UAE had also warned it could review labour ties with countries refusing to take back its nationals.

Around 60,000 Pakistanis have so far registered to return from the UAE, according to Pakistan’s consulate in Dubai.

Pakistan is facing the challenge of quarantine thousands of overseas workers wanting to returning home while it deals with its own fast-growing number of cases, as infections reached more than 21,000 with over 500 deaths.

Gulf states have increased testing after recording a growing number of cases among low-income migrants living in overcrowded housing.

The UAE has reported 15,192 infections and 146 deaths.

Abu Dhabi’s government media office on Monday tweeted that 335,000 people living and working in the industrial Mussafah area would be tested for COVID-19 over the next two weeks.

Low-wage overseas workers are normally a vital source of labour in areas such as construction and transport for many Gulf nations and contribute billions of dollars in remittances to their home countries such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

But many labour rights activists say they are vulnerable to exploitative labour practices and poor working and living conditions

An overseas worker in Dubai said that he lived with three others in a small room with bunk beds and some workers lived six to a room.

“It’s risky when you live together,” he said, asking not to be named. “It’s not good for us right now, the situation with COVID-19.”

Singapore has among the highest coronavirus case loads in Asia, mainly because of mass outbreaks in migrant-worker dormitories.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...g-coronavirus-positive-from-uae-idUSKBN22H1R7

 

[The Viper]

CASES UPDATE: Pakistan's coronavirus cases rise to 22,237

Punjab 8,133
Sindh 8,189
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 3,499
Balochistan 1,495
Gilgit-Baltistan 386
Islamabad 464
Azad Jammu & Kashmir 71

Deaths 514
Recoveries 5,801

Active cases 15,922

 

[MenInG]

 

[Abdullah719]