PM Imran Khan’s tests negative for coronavirus

ISLAMABAD: The Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, said Wednesday that the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s test for the coronavirus was negative.

She tweeted, “Prime Minister Imran Khan was tested today (Wednesday) for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus strain that causes coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). The test used was a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). I amhappy to report that his test is NEGATIVE.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Coronavirus Dr Faisal Sultan announced that the prime minister’s sample was taken for the virus and sent to the lab for diagnostics. A day prior, Dr Faisal, who is also the premier's personal physician, had announced that the premier had agreed to test for COVID-19. He had said at the time, "I am happy to announce that the prime minister, being a responsible prime minister and a responsible citizen, has agreed to get tested on my advice." That same night, Dr Firdous had also confirmed that the premier will be tested for the coronavirus. "Samples for his test will be collected from the Prime Minister Office tomorrow (Wednesday)," she told Geo News.

Dr Firdous said that the premier's office "is disinfected daily" while the PM Office is thoroughly disinfected as a whole "every other day". "There are meetings held there all the time so we are particular about disinfecting the premises," she said. She said that the prime minister and his family had previously been tested and were cleared. "Who else was (possibly) affected following Faisal Edhi's visit remains to be determined and for which everyone must be tested," said Awan. "Faisal Edhi did not have a lengthy conversation with the prime minister. He only handed over a cheque," she added.