Islamabad: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has officially denied reports suggesting an increase in cases of COVID-19 across Pakistan, stressing that the situation is well under control. .
In an exclusive interview with ARY News, Dr. Mumtaz Khan, head of the Center for Disease Control at NIH, addressed concerns over recent claims of a sharp rise in coronavirus infections in the country. He firmly stated that the reports of increase are baseless and there has been no significant increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Khan explained that the confusion may have arisen from similarities in symptoms between COVID-19, influenza and seasonal flu.
“Many symptoms, such as chills, cough, fever, and fatigue, overlap among these diseases, which can lead to misinterpretations,” he said. He further assured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The NIH clarified that although respiratory illnesses increase during the winter season, with an increase in cases of influenza and H1N1, there is no evidence that there has been a significant increase in cases of COVID-19. “It’s perfectly normal for seasonal flu cases to spike in the colder months, and it’s happened again this year,” noted Dr. Khan.
Acknowledging reports from Karachi that a small percentage of patients with cold and cough symptoms tested positive for COVID-19, Dr Khan urged caution in drawing conclusions from these isolated cases. “Only a small percentage of patients with respiratory symptoms are testing positive for Covid-19, and these cases do not indicate a large-scale resurgence,” he added.
To ensure public health protection, NIH has intensified surveillance efforts nationwide, particularly during this time of increased influenza activity. The institute has also submitted a formal response to the National Assembly to deal with the current situation regarding COVID-19, seasonal flu, and H1N1 cases.
Dr Khan concluded with a reminder to the public that the health authorities continue to monitor the situation diligently and the government is fully prepared to take appropriate measures if required. He stressed the importance of following standard health guidelines, including good hygiene practices, to reduce the spread of respiratory infections during the ongoing climate change.
So far, the NIH’s message to the public is clear: Although there has been a slight increase in some types of respiratory illness, there has not been an alarming increase in cases of COVID-19 at this time.
