More tests showing more corona cases, says Murad.

KARACHI -- Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that 731 more cases of coronavirus were diagnosed when 4,223 samples were tested while 16 patients died taking the tally of total cases to 13,341 and death toll to 234 across the province.

'This shows that still we are facing upsurge in infection and deaths which call for observance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in true letter and spirit,' he added.

In a statement issued from CM House, the chief minister said that 4,223 tests were conducted against which 731 cases were detected, which were 17.3 per cent of total tests. 'As we are going to increase the number of tests the more cases are coming on surface,' he said.

'We have to contain it with our collective efforts,' he added.

He said that the health department so far had conducted 103,340 tests and diagnosed 13,341 cases or 12.9pc of the total tests.

731 more cases of Covid-19 surface

The chief minister said that 16 more patients died and so far the death toll reached 234 or 1.7pc. 'With the grace of God our death ratio is comparatively low and we are making efforts to control it by enforcing SOPs,' he said.

According to the chief minister, 10,272 patients were under treatment all over Sindh.

He said 8,840 patients or 86pc of the total patients were at home isolation where they were being looked after by doctors through helpline while 919 were at isolation centres and 513 in different hospitals.

Mr Shah said that 606 patients recovered and had returned home. 'So far 2,835 patients have recovered and the recovery ratio stands at 21.3 per cent which is encouraging, but we have to improve it further but all this would be possible only if people start getting [themselves] tested voluntarily,' he said.

Karachi cases

The chief minister said that out of 731 new coronavirus cases, Karachi had 585 cases. He added that there were 140 cases in East district, 127 in South, 116 in Malir, 85 in Central, 60 in West and 57 cases in Korangi.

Mr Shah said that experts were pointing out that May would see an upsurge in cases of coronavirus. 'We have eased the lockdown on the assurance of traders and the people that SOPs of social distancing, wearing of masks and avoiding crowds would be order of the day but the results are contrary,' he said and

went on saying that if such an attitude continued it would be very difficult to get rid of the pandemic.

He said that death frequency showed that 4.6pc patients who could not survive were...