Is Karachi Witnessing Deaths Due to Coronavirus?

KARACHI: The Sindh Health Department has denied recent media reports suggesting that four individuals died from COVID-19 in Karachi, here on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the department clarified that the deceased were all over 60 years old and had existing health complications. The individuals had been admitted to a private hospital, and their deaths, the department emphasized, were not linked to COVID-19.

Authorities urged both the public and the media to avoid spreading unverified or exaggerated claims, warning that misinformation could lead to unnecessary fear and public confusion.

Earlier, some media outlets had attributed the deaths to a surge in COVID-19 cases coinciding with Karachi’s extreme summer temperatures, which recently crossed 40°C.

Medical Experts Note a Rise in Cases, but Caution Against Panic

Dr. Syed Faisal Mahmood, a specialist in infectious diseases at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), acknowledged a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. He described the spike as “unusual” for this time of year, noting that the virus tends to spread more during cooler seasons, when people spend more time indoors and humidity levels are lower.

Historical Context and Recent Statements

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was first identified in late 2019 and declared a global pandemic in early 2020. While recent months have seen sporadic increases in reported cases, public health officials have continued to urge calm.

Read more: Health Dept Responds to Karachi ‘COVID’ Deaths Reports

Earlier this year, similar concerns arose when reports claimed that 25% to 30% of patients showing cold and flu-like symptoms in Karachi were testing positive for the virus. However, Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho publicly dismissed those claims.

“There is no cause for alarm,” she said at the time. “COVID-19 is not actively spreading in Karachi or elsewhere. The virus has largely subsided around the globe.”