Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: At least 253 healthcare providers and medical workers have been infected with coronavirus in Pakistan so far, according to data shared by the National Emergency Operation Centre on Thursday.
Based on the report, which has data up until April 22, 124 doctors, 39 nurses and and 90 health workers have been infected by the virus in the country. Ninety two of these healthcare providers are in isolation, 125 are admitted in hospitals while 33 have recovered and have been discharged.
The first known Covid-19 fatality among the local medical community occurred in Gilgit Baltistan when a young doctor, Usama Riaz, succumbed to the disease last month.
In Punjab, 83 medical workers have been affected so far, according to the ministry’s data; this includes 53 doctors, 12 nurses and 18 health workers. Out of these, 15 are in isolation, 61 have been admitted to hospitals and eight have been discharged. In Sindh, the total number of infected medical workers stands at 56, according to the report; this includes 19 doctors, 15 nurses and 22 other healthcare providers. Of these, 41 are admitted to hospitals and 15 have been discharged.
However, in a press conference held on Wednesday in Karachi by senior doctors, it was shared that in Sindh alone, 162 health professionals had tested positive. The ministry’s report says 30 medical workers have been infected so far in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 14 doctors, four nurses and 12 health workers. Of these, 25 are in isolation, four are admitted to hospitals and one has been discharged.
