JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Residents of eastern Nangarhar province say the movement of people via Torkham has once again raised concerns about the transmission of the coronavirus from Pakistan.
Pakistani media reports say more than 4,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus in the country in the past 24 hours. At least 50 died during the period.
The increase in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan has raised concerns among Nangarhar residents, who demand effective steps to prevent the transmission of the virus into the country.
Rafiullah, a shopkeeper in Torkham, told Pajhwok Afghan News people’s movement to Pakistan had increased more than ever before.
He urged the government to take concrete measures because positive Covid-19 cases were on the rise in Pakistan.
“Doctors are available in Torkham, but they check only suspected people. Serious attention should be paid to the large number of people coming to Afghanistan,” he suggested.
Abdul Raqeeb, a resident of Jalalabad, recalled the first coronavirus case registered here involved a person had come from abroad.
“A few days ago, media reported a surge in positive coronavirus cases in Nangarhar. In my opinion, the movement to and from Pakistan via Torkham is the only reason,” he remarked.
Syed Homayoun, who had brought his father to the Nangarhar Covid Hospital, confirmed people’s visits to the hospital had significantly surged.
Public Health Director Dr. Amir Mohammad Aftab told Pajhwok the movement of a large number of people across the Durand Line would result in an increase in positive Covid cases.
“As the virus is a pandemic and it existed in all countries, its transmission is possible due to people’s movement from one country to another,” he added.
He revealed the Public Health Department had tasked two teams at the Torkham port with identifying suspected individuals with cooperation from some other institutions.
Aftab said samples had been taken from a number of people in Torkham and sent to the central laboratory.
sa/mud
Views: 131