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KABUL: The Afghan authorities have extended the lockdown period for another three weeks as confirmed covid-19 cases jumped to 906 across Afghanistan.
In the past 24 hours, 464 samples were texted, in which 66 were positive. The Afghan officials scrambling to stop the wild spread of the virus and have frequently asking the citizens to avoid unnecessary movements in the city. Ministry of interior called on the residents to stay at home and take the lockdown seriously. The ministry also informed of a stricter measures this time.
Fragile health system and lack of basic materials, including ventilators for curial covid-19 patients have worried the residents. Moreover, running out of testing kits, the health ministry could not report the exact numbers of infected people, and also areas in militants grip also remained unreported so far.
Out 66 positive cases reported in the past 24 hours, 26 were recorded in Kabul, 15 in Kandahar, six in Balkh, five in Kunduz, five in Herat, four in Helmand, three in Laghman, one in Nangarhar, and one in Kundur, said Public Health Ministry Spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar.
Mr. Mayar said a 45 years old patient discharged from hospital after fully recovery from covid-19.
In total 99 patients recovered, and 30 people unfortunately died of covid-19, showing the death percentage to 3.3 percent. The recovery cases are 11 percent, Mr. Mayar said.
The increase in cases has left security agencies with no other option but to extend lowdown period to another three weeks.
Road connecting to Kabul and other provinces also remained closed, interior ministry said in a statement. The ministry had called on residents to take the lockdown measure seriously and stop unnecessary movements.
Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi in a tweet announced that government employees, except essential service employees, will be off for three more weeks until May 9.
Globally, positive case of coronavirus reached over 2.15 million, with the United States is at the top with over 22,000 deaths and over 671,000 confirmed cases.
