Coronavirus: Safety measures by the government and the individuals
Lahore, 15th March: With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reaching 31 in Pakistan, the government is taking all possible measures to contain its spread, announcing the closure of educational institutes, social gatherings and marriage halls for three weeks.
The cases reported from Lahore, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Karachi have been tested positive and the patients are kept in quarantine at the hospitals.
How to get tested for the virus?
The question arises, “If the test costs Rs.7,900, how can the average Pakistani even afford it?“.
Government hospitals in the major cities of Pakistan have started a free service of getting tested for coronavirus and they urge the citizens to spread this information so that more people can avail of this facility without fearing the unbelievably high cost of the test.
According to those centers, if any of the citizens suspect that he or someone he knows is showing symptoms of coronavirus, visit a government designated hospital, be it public or private.
Coronavirus: Punjab Government closes schools
Given below is a list of the hospitals that are collecting samples for the test, and sending them forward for the results to be processed. They are not conducting the test themselves:
Punjab
Services Hospital – Lahore
Nishtar Hospital – Multan
Benazir Hospital – Rawalpindi
Sindh
Chandka Medical College Hospital – Larkana
Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College – Sukkur
Peoples Medical University Hospital – Nawabshah
Civil Hospital – Karachi
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre – Karachi
Lyari General Hospital – Karachi
Indus Hospital – Karachi
Aga Khan Hospital – Karachi
Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha – Karachi
District Health Offices (DHOs) all over the province
GB
In Gilgit-Baltistan, citizens can contact district health authorities who will come to their homes to collect samples
KP
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Police Services Hospital has been made the main centre for dealing with coronavirus cases
What Will Happen Once You Get to the Hospital?
A doctor will check to see if you are showing the symptoms associated with coronavirus to see if you need to be tested in the first place.
An extensive travel history will be demanded. So don’t be alarmed if they ask you if you’ve traveled this year or been in close contact with anyone who has been sick recently (showing symptoms related to coronavirus).
If the doctor assesses that you do not have the symptoms that are related to coronavirus, they’ll suggest that you don’t need the test. That’s good news and means that you are free to go home.
MoE Discovers Coronavirus Antidote
If you do show symptoms of the virus, your saliva is taken using a swab and sent to one of the designated facilities that have coronavirus testing equipment. This testing will be done free of cost.
This is a very effective step taken by the government to facilitate its citizens and stop them from panicking amid the outbreak of coronavirus.
The government has announced country wide holidays for all educational institutes in Pakistan, effective immediately.
These are not the vacations announced by the government, rather these are the precautionary measures keeping in view the global spread of the pandemic. The government has advised not to take this as an opportunity to pack up your bags and head north, or to plan outings with extended family, or to visit malls and cinemas but keep inside safe and hygienically clean.
This is a national emergency and a global pandemic
Safety measures by individuals:
Stay indoors and stay safe.
Avoid public gatherings.
Avoid public spaces.
We are not Italy and we are not China. We do not have protocols in place to quarantine thousands of people and curtail contagion.
We must take individual responsibility.
Educate those around you, your domestic helpers, urge them to maintain hygiene and protect their families.
This is the time to come together as a community and do your part.
May Allah keep us and our loved ones safe.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for further updates on coronavirus.
