Three Tablighi Jamaat members test positive for corona in Mardan

MARDAN: Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abid Wazir said on Monday that 172 foreigners from Tablighi Jamaat were present at Janda Tablighi Markaz quarantine centre and coronavirus tests of three foreign Tablighis have come positive.

“Up to 81 suspects of coronavirus are in isolation while 67 are at quarantine centre,” he told a press conference on Monday. Abid Wazir said that 376 tests of suspected of coronavirus cases had been sent to Khyber Medical University (KMU) and National Institute of Health (NIH). He added that the results of 185 suspects were received while 191 were pending. He said the first case emerged on March 18 was that of Saadat Khan, resident of Manga union council and after his death, the entire union council was sealed.

The official added that currently, there were 18 ventilators at Mardan Medical Complex while two are available at private hospitals. He added that Mardan Medical Complex could accommodate 100 to 200 patients and the same numbers could be lodged at District Headquarter Hospital while Combined Military Hospital is also at the disposal of district administration.

The official added that Mardan district is in a better position in the prevailing situation and had at least one-month stock of various facilities. He appealed to the masses to stay home and not violate Section-144. He said the next 10 to 15 days were important in view of the coronavirus challenge.

“The district administration has received Rs100 million funds from the Relief Department so far in connection with the anti-coronavirus efforts,” he added.