171 new cases of coronavirus, one death reported in 24 hours
Zubair Qureshi
The federal capital with 171 new and confirmed cases of coronavirus reported a total of 2,589 cases of virus while the death toll with addition to one reached 28.
On Sunday, a record number of 200 patients were diagnosed with coronavirus and four deaths were reported.
While talking to Pakistan Observer Joint Executive Director (JED) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Dr Minhajus Siraj said on Monday, the hospital received 108 new patients of the coronavirus and admitted three new patients. The remaining 105 patients were sent back with the advice to isolate themselves at their homes, he said.
Meanwhile, two patients were discharged also upon recovering from the virus.
In this way the total number of Covid-19 patients remained more or less the same ie 45, said the JED. Of these admitted patients 31 are being kept at the Isolation Wards while 14 are admitted at the Private Ward, he further said.
There are 12 patients in critical state on the ventilator, he further said. To the question why more than 90 health workers—doctors, nurses and paramedical staff— tested positive with coronavirus, Dr Minhaj said an inquiry into the matter has been directed and its report will be concluded by Wednesday (tomorrow).
Dr Minhaj said the doctors, nurses and paramedics were infected despite the fact they were not working in the highly infected zones like isolation wards or critical care areas of Covid-19 patients.
A committee has been constituted for investigation into the matter with Dr Junaida Sarfaraz, AP Community Medicine as chairperson.
The other two members of the committee are Assistant Professor Dr Aneeza Jaleel and Deputy Director Admin Dr Naveed Shah both from PIMS, said he. The committee will formulate a scientific methodology to address the issue, peruse the hospital records and medical reports of the employees concerned.
“Something is wrong somewhere and we will know exactly where by Tuesday afternoon,” said he. Already we are checking supplies of PPEs and the proper safety measures,” said a concerned JED Dr Minhaj adding, “Our staff in corona wards are safe because they are totally protected. These infected are from general areas so maybe they are catching up from their social activities or any other way. We shall look into all aspects,” he assured.
