Umar dispels notion Pakistanis are immune to coronavirus disease

• Umar says so far more than 50 people had died while more than 20 had been shifted on the ventilator.
• At least 153 hospitals equipped with ventilators will be provided the kits and equipment: Planning minister.
• Mirza says 577 cases have been detected in Pakistan during the last 24 hours.

(Karachi) Planning Minister Asad Umar has dispelled the concept that Pakistanis are immune to the coronavirus disease. He added so far more than 50 people had died while more than 20 had been shifted on the ventilator.

Addressing a media briefing along with Special Assistant for Health Zafar Mirza in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said the nation is self-confident and advised people to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus.

He said that 153 hospitals equipped with ventilators will be provided the kits and equipment.

Umar said that the government has decided to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and medical equipment directly to the administration of hospitals instead of handing them over to provincial governments.

"Hospitals across the country demanded at least 22,000 testing kits," he maintained. He added the government is striving to increase its testing ability related to coronavirus. Umar said that the federal government is helping all provinces to fight the deadly pandemic.

On the occasion, Zafar Mirza said that 577 cases have been detected in Pakistan during the last 24 hours. He mentioned that an increase in number of patients was caused because new data had been fed in the system.

He said emergence of coronavirus cases can be reduced in Pakistan through mass testing.

He revealed that in Pakistan, 163 tests are being conducted per one million people. In comparison, 50 tests per one million are being carried out in India and 964 per million in Iran.