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Poverty, population and weak healthcare: Coronavirus cases on the rise in South Asia

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Mar 16, 2020, 08:44 PM IST
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File photo. Photograph:(PTI)

Story highlights

The number of cases in Pakistan has risen to 93. 41 new coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Sindh province. 

With seven new cases, the number of infections in Sri Lanka has spiked to 19. As a precautionary measure, Srilankan airlines have asked passengers to carry their own blankets and headphones.

Also read: Covid-19 infects over 94 in Pakistan

The situation is particularly bad in Afghanistan which has a weak healthcare system. Though the country has reported 21 cases so far.

But the number of infections could be much higher. Afghan lawmakers have said that more than 15 thousand people, still return from Iran every day.

In fact, so far 10, Afghans have died of coronavirus in Iran due to the lack of medical care.

Lawmakers said that the conflict-hit country lacked the proper equipment to detect coronavirus infections. In fact, they said Afghanistan has just 16 doctors who can diagnose Covid-19 in the virus epicentre of the Herat province.

In fact, there were even calls to shut down the parliament over fears of virus spread.

The number of cases in Pakistan has risen to 93. 41 new coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Sindh province. 

The financial hub of Karachi which is also Sindh's capital remains worst hit with 25 cases.

But the Imran Khan government's priority still remains misplaced.

This as Pakistan president Arif Alvi is leaving for a two-day trip to china to show solidarity with its all-weather friend.

Remember, Pakistan has refused to evacuate its citizens from china even as the outbreak worsened. Afghanistan struggles to contain the outbreak.

Afghanistan struggles to contain outbreak

At least 15,000 Afghans return daily from Iran
10 Afghans died due to lack of medical care in Iran
Afghanistan lacks equipment for coronavirus testing
Only 16 doctors can diagnose Covid-19 in Herat province