295 children tested Covid positive so far in Balochistan

QUETTA: Balochistan government Spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said so far 295 children tested positive for Covid across the province, while 10 per cent of total virus cases were reported from educational institutions.

“The government has taken steps to contain the spread of the virus in the institutions by closing schools from primary to middle classes,” Shahwani said on Saturday while addressing a press conference in Quetta.

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The officials were also reviewing the closure of high schools, colleges and universities in the provincial capital, he added.

“If the number of positive virus cases keeps on increasing with the current ratio, health centers will be under pressure," said the provincial government spokesperson.

He said the government took measures to ensure availability of oxygen in hospitals across the province and urged people to cooperate with the officials in enforcing Covid standard operating procedures (SOPs).

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“The provincial government will seek assistance of Army in implementing coronavirus SOPs, if people don’t cooperate with the officials,” he said, adding the deteriorating situation turned beyond requests for implementation of SOPs.

Citing the worsened situation in the neighboring country, Shahwani warned that the third wave in Quetta and across the country could lead to a situation in Pakistan similar to India.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2021.