Sindh Health Minister refutes reports of COVID-19 surge in Karachi

Karachi: Sindh’s Health Minister, Azra Pechuho, has dismissed reports regarding a rise in COVID-19 cases in Karachi, assuring citizens that there is no cause for concern.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Pechuho stated, “Don’t be afraid; coronavirus is not spreading in Karachi.” She further emphasised that COVID-19 has significantly diminished worldwide, calling it a condition similar to the seasonal cold in many countries.

The health minister also urged the public to avoid sensationalising the situation and spreading fake news. “As a precaution, we conducted tests on patients with common cold symptoms, and mild symptoms of COVID-19 were detected in seven out of every 100 patients,” she clarified.

Pechuho offered that there was no immediate concern, saying, “Corona has become like a regular cold in the world, so there is nothing to be scared about.”

This statement comes in response to recent reports suggesting an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Karachi. It was revealed that 25 to 30 per cent of patients presenting with cold and cough symptoms tested positive for the virus.

Professor Saeed Khan, an infectious disease expert at Dow Hospital, noted an increase in cases of cold, cough, and fever in the city. Upon testing, 25 to 30 per cent of these patients were confirmed to have COVID-19. Additionally, he mentioned that 10 to 12 per cent of patients were diagnosed with Influenza H1N1, and 5 to 10 per cent of children showed signs of respiratory infections.

Professor Khan explained that the symptoms of COVID-19, Influenza H1N1, and other seasonal viral infections are very similar, leading some patients to avoid getting tested and thereby delaying the confirmation of these diseases.