No case of coronavirus reported in Pakistan, says Rashid

• Health minister says at least 27 countries are hit by the deadly epidemic.
• The Chinese government effectively dealt with the situation and contained the outbreak: Yasmin.
• Rashid says a number of Chinese Nationals are working in the country on CPEC project but none has been affected with the virus.

(Karachi) Punjab Health Minister Yamin Rashid said that not a single case of coronaviurus has been reported in Pakistan. She added screening of people is being carried out at all entry and exit point of the country, including the airports and Wagah Border.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, she said 27 countries are hit by the deadly epidemic. She maintained the Chinese government effectively dealt with the situation and contained the epidemic.

The health minister mentioned that effective measures have been taken by the government to stop the disease from spreading in the country. She said the doctors and medical staff had been put on alert after the spread of the virus and they are working round-the-clock to facilitate the masses.

She said a number of Chinese Nationals are working in the country on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project but none has been affected with the virus.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus has exceeded that of acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2002 and 2003. The total number of people infected with the virus rose to 17, 205 in China after 2,829 new case were reported.

At least 150 cases have also been reported from other countries.

Meanwhile, China’s health commission says that there were 475 recoveries and 361 deaths nationwide due to the virus. They said the SARS epidemic claimed lives of more than 400 people across the world.

Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said that all Pakistani Nationals