Tag: coronavirus testing

  • Neelam Muneer recovers from COVID-19

    Neelam Muneer recovers from COVID-19

    Neelam Muneer Khan has recovered from the novel coronavirus after a two-week battle.

    In a video posted to Instagram, Neelam said: “I am doing fine after recovering from the virus. I will make another video soon to tell people about the diet I was on during the two weeks I remained in self-isolation.”

    She also thanked everyone for their prayers and encouragement.

    The actor had tested positive for the virus on December 9.

    “This has been one of the most challenging and difficult things that personally me and my family have ever had to endure,” Neelam had shared at the time.

  • Mariyam Nafees tests positive for COVID-19 days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi

    Mariyam Nafees tests positive for COVID-19 days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi

    Mariyam Nafees has announced that she has tested positive, days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi. The actor shared that she is isolating at home.

    “Greetings from isolation,” wrote Mariyam on social media. “Unfortunately, I’ve added to the COVID count by testing positive.”

    “Harsh symptoms and away from home, so here’s requesting lots and lots of prayers,” she added.

    Nafees also urged people to protect themselves, wear mask and take the necessary precautionary measures.

    The actor was last spotted at Rabab’s mehndi.

    Mariyam with Rabab on her Mehndi

    Mariyam shared a screenshot on her Instagram story of co-actor Usman Khalid Butt texting to know about her health but he made a big blunder. Instead of writing How are you doing, he wrote, “How are you dying?”

    Rabab, who is famous for her roles in Qarrar and Piya Mann Bhaye, got hitched to Sohaib Shamshad in an intimate wedding. Pictures from her nikkah and rukhsati are being widely circulated on social media.

    Rabab looked ethereal in a cream and pale peach outfit paired with emerald jewellery, while the groom looked dapper in an off-white sherwani.

    Wishing Rabab all the best for the new chapter in her life.

  • Govt reduces COVID-19 testing amid spike in deaths

    Govt reduces COVID-19 testing amid spike in deaths

    As coronavirus cases continue to spike across Pakistan, the government has drastically reduced the number of tests, as it conducted around 29,000 tests on Nov 16 as compared to 39,000 tests on Nov 14.

    According to official data, the number of tests remained above 30,000 since Nov 4 (when positivity rate was about 4 per cent) and the maximum number of samples were taken on Nov 14 i.e. 39,410. But for the past couple of days, the government has slashed the testing by 10,000 even though the positivity rate now stands at 7 per cent.

    Graph of COVID-19 testing

    According to data issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday, at least 33 people passed away due to coronavirus, while 2,050 new infections were reported across Pakistan. The positivity rate has also witnessed an increase — from 4 per cent at the start of this month to 7 per cent.

    On Saturday and Sunday, the country saw over 2,000 cases and 2,400 cases respectively, which means more than a 20 per cent increase in cases. These numbers are the highest since July. Seventeen people lost their lives to the coronavirus on Saturday. Pakistan reported over 2,000 cases on Monday as well.

    Meanwhile, SOPs violations across the country continue. The marriage halls, restaurants, and such other places have failed to implement the government directives to stem the growth of the virus.

  • Ameer Gilani becomes the latest celebrity to test positive for COVID-19

    Ameer Gilani becomes the latest celebrity to test positive for COVID-19

    Sabaat’s Ameer Gillani has tested positive for coronavirus, days after his co-star Usman Mukhtar announced that he had also contracted the disease. The actor revealed his test results in a question-answer session on his Instagram stories.

    A number of actors and models have recently shared that they are in quarantine because they have tested positive for coronavirus.

    Detailing his experience, Gilani said, “I was unable to connect with my fans and answer your questions. But now I am able to answer your questions because I am isolating in my room and you all know that why you isolate yourself.”

    “That’s because I’m COVID positive and there is no sense of taste and smell. I request you all to remember me and my family in your prayers as your prayers are very powerful.”

    He further said: “If you look at the bright side, we can interact and communicate because of this. So remember me in your prayers.”

    The actor also shared pictures of his grandfather’s phone call interview on a news channel where he confirmed that his son and grandson have tested positive for coronavirus.

    While requesting for prayers, Ameer’s grandfather senior lawyer Iftikhar Gilani got emotional.

  • Eight out of 20 test positive for coronavirus at ARY office

    The founder and CEO of ARY Digital Network, Salman Iqbal, has tweeted that eight out of 20 random test results at ARY’s Islamabad office came positive for coronavirus, following which the channel has closed the office and all of its staff will be tested.

    ARY anchor Sabir Shakir has tweeted that three staff members tested positive after they went to Faisal Edhi’s home and other three after going to a mosque that has been sealed. Most of the affectees were field reporters or staff.

    Related: ARY’s Kashif Abbasi’s interview with The Current in the Islamabad office

    Some of ARY’s most popular shows, including Off the Record with Kashif Abbasi is based in Islamabad as well as Arshad Sharif’s programme.

    Pakistan currently has almost 13,700 cases and more than 250 people have died. There has been a spike in cases this past week and 92 health professionals in Pakistan have tested positive for the virus.

    ARY’s head office is in Karachi.