PIA decides to convert Karachi airport hotel into quarantine centre

KARACHI: In the fight against novel coronavirus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arshad Malik on Friday directed authorities to convert Karachi airport hotels into quarantine centers.

The decision was taken after Pakistan reported its third coronavirus death and surge in the number of COVID-19 patients across the country.

Earlier, on Thursday the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had requested provinces to convert all 3-4 star hotels in to quarantine centers in fight against COVID-19.

In the light of NDMA requested, the PIA CEO instructed authorities to the made center at PIA airport hotel adjacent to Jinnah International Airport for the coronavirus patients arriving from the other countries.

Sources said the NDMA had requested through a letter to the federal interior secretary and all four provincial chief secretaries in this regard.

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The NDMA has written in the letter, it is essential to take precautionary steps against the coronavirus as per the WHO instructions. Karachi has reported the first death from the deadly coronavirus (COVID 19) on Friday.

Dr. Azra Pechuho Minister of Health Sindh has confirmed a 77-year-old patient has died in Karachi due to COVID 19.  She also said the patient was a cancer survivor and had diabetes and hypertension.

With the new death in the list, the total number of death due to COVID 19 in Pakistan has risen to three. Two patients died due to novel coronavirus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa – one in Mardan and other in Peshawar on Wednesday.

The confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan have climbed to 458 as more cases have been reported across the country on Friday.

READ MORE: Karachi reports first death due to COVID 19