Digital mapping of coronavirus patients being conducted in Sindh to help identify more cases

By Muhammad YaseenPublished On 03 Jan 2023

KARACHI: Data compiled by the provincial authorities of coronavirus patients in Karachi has suggested district Central as the worst-hit area of the metropolis where the highest number of such patients has been found so far, officials and sources said on Monday.

Besides, the authorities are also conducting digital mapping of the mobile phones of Covid-19 positive cases with the help of professionals to create a comprehensive database.

A source said that the digital mapping would help in tracing the travel history of the patients and their social contacts before they were tested positive for Covid-19.

“There are 249 confirmed patients of Covid-19 in Karachi,” he said. “The city’s Central district has emerged as the worst affected where a large number of patients with coronavirus has been registered thus far.” He said that the Sindh health department had completed the digital mapping of more than 125 patients and the exercise would help identify suspected cases at a better pace.

Meanwhile, the number of testing facilities for Covid-19 in the province has increased from three to nine, where more than 1,000 tests were being conducted on a daily basis with the government hoping to enhance the capacity to 3,600 tests per day in the next few weeks.

“Earlier, we had only three facilities for the tests of suspected patients,” said a spokesperson for the Sindh health department. “Now there are nine health facilities conducting such a test as six institutions from private and government sector have recently upgraded their facilities to join the list. Right now, we are conducting 1,200 tests daily and we hope to increase the number to 3,600 tests per day within the next few weeks.”