Sindh health department dismisses report on alarming jump in Karachi's Covid-19 cases.

The Sindh health department on Tuesday dismissed a news report claiming that there had been an alarming jump in Karachi's Covid-19 positivity rate, terming it to be 'sensationalised'.

A Geo News report quoted an official from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad as telling The News that the Covid-19 positivity rate in Karachi had reached 28.30 per cent after 30 out of 106 people screened for the viral infection tested positive. It did not mention the time period the data was taken.

The official also told the publication that cases had started rising in the country as 100 individuals had tested positive nationwide in the last 24 hours.

The provincial health department, however, issued a statement today from its Public Relations Officer Mehar Khursheed stating that the report was 'sensationalising the positivity rate in Karachi'.

The department said that individuals undergoing Covid testing exhibited symptoms of the disease, thereby resulting in a higher rate of positivity.

'However due to the fact that most of the population has been successfully vaccinated against Covid, there are very few severe cases,' the statement said.

'It is still wise to practise caution and follow standard operating procedures. The general population should wear masks when visiting hospitals or in crowded places. People are encouraged to get booster doses to boost up the immunity against the virus and prevent the spread of infection,' the...