CHITRAL: Deputy commissioner Naveed Ahmed has said that Chitral is so far free from coronavirus, but the residents coming from the virus-infected areas in other districts, including the members of Tableeghi Jamaat returning from Raiwind, posed a serious threat to the locals.

Addressing a press conference flanked by other officials here on Sunday, he said every effort was being made to keep the district safe from any outbreak of Covid-19.

He said strict vigilance was being kept on the passengers entering the district through Lowari tunnel and the persons bearing symptoms of Covid-19 were being quarantined. He said presently 94 persons were in the quarantine centres set up in Chitral city and Drosh.

Mr Ahmed said no suspected patient would now be required to be sent to Peshawar for coronavirus tests as the health department had provided them with the testing kits.

He said there was no shortage of essential food items in Chitral and the wheat stock in the government warehouses was sufficient enough to feed the people for 40 days.

District police officer Waseem Riaz said in league with the district administration and the Chitral Scouts, police were busy disseminating awareness among the people about the dangers of coronavirus.

He said overall people were abiding by the section 144, adding over 100 people had so far been arrested for violating the order.

He said the police were implementing the directions of the government in letter and spirit to contain the virus.

District health officer Dr Haiderul Mulk said there was no confirmed case of Covid-19 in the district. He said more than 500 lady health workers in every union council were carrying out the surveillance work against Covid-19.

Army’s Major Usman said like other parts of the country, Pak Army with the cooperation of the people was able to keep the virus away from the district.

Additional deputy commissioner Hayat Shah, assistant commissioner, Chitral, Abdul Wali Khan, assistant commissioner (revenue) Shahzad Ahmed, additional assistant commissioner, Drosh, Abdul Haq and settlement officer Fidaul Karim were also present at the presser.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2020