KARACHI: Sindh’s tally of COVID-19 infections and deaths continued spiking unabatedly as the provincial authorities confirmed 598 new infections, with five more deaths on May 8 when the community of doctors once again expressed its concern over the reported mismanagement at hospitals.

The latest number of one-day infections was the second to all days highest (622) confirmed in Sindh on May 1. During a period of May 2 to 8, Sindh on average reported 430 new cases every day. The latest deaths took the tally of provincial COVID deaths to 176, including 154 of Karachi.

According to official sources, four of the new deaths of COVID-19 patients, men aged from 19 to 81 years occurred, one each, at Tabba Hospital, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Civil Hospital Karachi and Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation SIUT). Larkana reported the last death as its one man of 55 died at Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences.

With the latest infections, the total of COVID-19 infected people reached to 9,691 in Sindh which conducted 81,610 tests since February 26, when the first coronavirus case was detected.

A total 5,532 suspected were tested for coronavirus during 24 hours ending at 8 am on May 8.

Karachi Division, as usual, produced the maximum number of new infection with 467, followed by Hyderabad (50 new cases), Shaheed Benazirabad (20), Larkana (10), Shikarpur (10), Sukkur (9), Matiari (9), Ghotki (6), Sanghar (4), Dadu (3), Badin (3), Mirpurkhas (3) while Tando Mohammad Khan reported two cases and Jamshoro one case. Till date a total of 1,940 patients have recovered.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), in a statement released on May 8, expressed growing concerns over the increasing number of COVID-19 patients and related deaths in the country, given the capacity and quality of hospitals.

“We have been observing the management flaws in our hospitals,” Dr Qaiser Sajjad, President, PMA, regretted while and citing Dr Furqan-ul-Haq’s death due to coronavirus at Karachi.

The statement said that the patients with corona positive were being refused admissions to hospitals even after having vacant beds and ventilators. “The PMA has been receiving such complaints on a daily basis that how the patients were mistreated and misguided,” the statement added.

The PMA President observed that there was a need to streamline the system of the corona designated hospitals and quarantine facilities all over the country. “There should be a centralised networking established between these health facilities, including the ambulance services.”

The doctors’ body noted that the government and hospital management were responsible for providing treatment to the patients.

It was further remarked that the government has announced relaxation in the lockdown from May 9, where business and shops have been allowed to open from morning till 5pm. “The PMA requests the people of Pakistan to play their due role to stop spreading of coronavirus and adopt all the required preventive measures,” Dr Qaiser Sajjad urged–PNFS