CM Buzdar calls on Chinese doctors, medical experts

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday called on Chinese doctors and medical experts’ team and discussed the strategy to curb coronavirus epidemic in Pakistan.

According to sources, during the meeting the participants also contemplated promoting mutual collaboration and joint efforts to restrain the coronavirus spread.

The CM appreciated the measures taken by Chinese government against COVID-19 and announced to take benefit from their approaches. Buzdar also thanked Chinese doctors and medical experts’ team for assuring their strong support and assistance during the difficult time.

CM said China has set an example on how to defeat the pandemic in a short period, adding that Pakistan will also follow the recommendations of Chinese health experts.

The Chinese’s experts recommended that Pakistan should ensure lockdown for more 28 days, adding that “Social distancing is the only option to prevent the spread of the coronavirus”.

According to National Command and Control Centre, the confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan have surged past 2800 after new cases were reported from different parts of the country.

National Command and Control Centre’s data showed that the number of coronavirus cases in the country reached 2824, while the death toll has jumped to 41, with four deaths reported during the past 24 hours.

Punjab remained the worst affected province in the country from the novel coronavirus with 1163 cases, followed by Sindh province that has 840 confirmed cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 372 cases followed by 206 and 185 cases in Gilgil Baltistan and Balochistan respectively.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has the least cases in the country with 12 confirmed patients while 75 people have so far tested positive for the infection in Islamabad. Earlier, Pakistan had decided to extend its lockdown till April 14, to limit the spread of coronavirus in the country.