No coronavirus case reported in Pakistan, says Zafar Mirza.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concerns over reports of an isolation ward of coronavirus victims being opened near the university housing Pakistani students in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The Senate's Standing Committee on Health meeting presided over by Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi was briefed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on the situation of the Pakistani students in Wuhan.

'Not a single case coronavirus has been reported in Pakistan,' Mirza told the committee. 'All preparations are in place in Pakistan for coronavirus.'

He added additional steps have been put in place at the Islamabad Airport to counter the virus.

Mirza further told the committee that Pakistanis were being taken care of in Wuhan. 'There has not been an increase in the number of Pakistanis suffering from the virus. Flight operations from China to Pakistan have not been suspended. These steps were taken after taking a look at the risks,' he said.

'I warned about the virus on January 23. The Chinese government is not allowing anyone to leave Wuhan,' SAPM Mirza said.

'Flights from China are coming to Lahore and Islamabad. There is control over some flights,' Mirza said, stating that there is an agreement with the Chinese government that everyone coming from the country would be kept under observation for 14 days.

'We have tested samples from 57 people,' Mirza said. 'All of them signed a declaration form and gave their contact information and were then allowed to leave.'

The committee was further told there were 620 Pakistani students in Wuhan. 'We are in contact with all the students. Zulfi Bukhari and I spoke to 16 students yesterday. The students are concerned and this concern has grown in the last few days over reports of those affected by the coronavirus being kept near a university where the students are studying.'

Mirza said they have contacted Chinese officials to move the patients somewhere. 'There is no danger to our students from those in the isolation ward,' he said.

He added that...

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