The viral message of Pakistan army choppers spraying anti-coronavirus pesticides turned out fake. Earlier, a fake Whatsapp urging people to remain indoor at midnight as “special military helicopters will spray pesticides to combat the novel coronavirus throughout Pakistan” heavily circulated among people.
The message even instructed people to remove dishes, clothes or any other things from the roofs. Adding that, whenever they hear the sound of helicopters at midnight they should know it is part of the army‘s effort to fight coronavirus.
While the Pakistan army is on board to facilitate the provincial and federal governments to help them tackle coronavirus, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (PM) on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza urged that everyone needs to work with national spirit to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus in the country.
In a statement, the special assistant said that strict measures are being taken to contain the virus while the best medical facilities are being provided to the victims at different hospitals.
FACT CHECK: Viral message on army choppers spraying 'anti-corona pesticides'. The message was being spread on WhatsApp to citizens amid #CoronaVirusPakistan outbreak.#CoronaVirusUpdate #Covid_19 #Fake #WhatsApp #PakistanArmy pic.twitter.com/pMA6h7v286
— Saad Rafique 🇵🇰 (@saadrafique91) March 19, 2020
We have to be well prepared for a difficult time, he added.
On the other hand, the coronavirus cases in Pakistan have surged to 447 as 245 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 78 in Punjab, 23 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 81 in Balochistan, seven in Islamabad, 12 in Gilgit-Baltistan and one Azad Kashmir.
Earlier, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, Murtaza Wahab said that one more patient of COVID-19 has recovered and tested negative for the virus.
A total of three patients have recovered fully from novel coronavirus so far. The Sindh government has on Friday confirmed the first death of coronavirus patient, a 77-year-old man, in the province as the fatalities in Pakistan have risen to three.
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The death has been verified by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. The victim was a resident of Karachi and had no travel history.
The coronavirus cases in Pakistan have surged to 451 as 245 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 81 in Balochistan, 78 in Punjab, 23 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 in Gilgit-Baltistan, seven in Islamabad and one Azad Kashmir.
Several coronavirus cases in Sindh rose to 245 after 37 patients were diagnosed with the epidemic in a single day. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has advised all to stay at home. Rs 60 billion have been issued for pilgrims in Sukkur.
Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, Murtaza Wahab tweeted: Third patient of COVID-19 in Sindh who was being kept in isolation has Alhamdolillah recovered & has tested negative.
FACT CHECK: Viral message on army choppers spraying 'anti-corona pesticides'https://t.co/ZEP55W0g1E pic.twitter.com/gWPMchPZjd
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 19, 2020
The spokesperson of the Balochistan government confirmed five new cases raising the provincial tally to 81.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 and the tally has risen to 23 in the province. Two of the patients have foreign travel history.