Two more pilgrims who returned from Iran were tested COVID-19 positive on Friday, bringing the total number of positive cases in Larkana to nine. At least 43 suspected people are still being kept at the quarantine centre established at Areeja Campus of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University, and all others have been allowed to go home. These positive cases have been detected among the 36 new pilgrims who were brought at the centre four days before and their test was conducted at Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS). The remaining 34 people have been isolated separately. This was disclosed by in-charge District Health Officer (DHO) Larkana, who is also focal person for coronavirus, Dr Athar Shah. He was talking to newsmen, as the post of DHO (BPS-20) is still vacant and Dr Shah is in BPS-19 and has no previous administrative experience. He said the test report has not yet been sent to him, but he has been informed about the two cases.
On the other hand, reliable sources at the centre told this scribe that for the last five days no sanitary worker has been posted at the centre due to which cleanliness issue has worsened, as all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) discarded by doctors and paramedics are thrown under open sky in the centre and there is nobody to properly dispose of the dangerous waste. These sources further said that one Chandka Hospital doctor is performing morning duty, another belong to IHS who performs in the evening and night shift is looked after by PPHI doctor, and each shift is managed by two paramedics deputed by CMCH, IHS and PPHI. Sources further claimed that PPE is also not given to the duty doctors and paramedics, for which they have to make frequent requests to the DHO and other relevant officers. Four duty doctors posted at the quarantine centre and isolation ward have already been advised by district administration to get themselves tested as a precautionary measure.
