COVID patients who died in Karachi had underlying conditions, experts confirm

At least four people who died at a private hospital in Karachi this month, showing Covid-19 symptoms, had underlying health conditions alongside the virus, experts and health officials say.

This clarification comes amid public concern about a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in Pakistan’s largest city.

Media reports linking the deaths solely to COVID-19 prompted the Sindh health department to issue a statement to clarify the situation and ease public fears.

“All four patients were over 60 and had other comorbidities. They were admitted to a private hospital, and Covid-19 cannot be confirmed as the sole cause of death,” said a spokesperson for the Sindh health minister.

The official added that the virus is now treated as a routine viral infection in Pakistan and worldwide. “Headlines suggesting people are dying only because of COVID create unnecessary panic. We urge the media to report responsibly,” the spokesperson said.

‘Overall situation hard to assess’

To better understand the current situation, Nukta spoke with Prof. Dr. Syed Faisal Mahmood of the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

While confirming four recent deaths, Dr. Mahmood confirmed that all patients had underlying medical conditions. “We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, but the overall situation is hard to assess due to limited testing compared to previous years,” he said.

When asked about the possible reasons behind the recent uptick, Dr. Mahmood pointed to waning immunity from earlier vaccinations and infections, along with ongoing virus mutations. He added that variant testing is being conducted at other centers, so identifying the specific strain behind the surge isn't currently possible.

Earlier this year, amid rising flu cases and renewed COVID fears, the Directorate General Health Services Sindh directed all district health offices to enhance active surveillance of viral infections at healthcare facilities.

Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho also addressed public concerns in a video message, stating that there is no COVID-19 epidemic in the province. “Out of over 100 patients tested, only seven were positive, and all had mild symptoms,” she said, reiterating that these cases are being treated like seasonal flu.

However, that message was issued in January, and the minister has yet to comment on the current situation. For now, only a statement from her spokesperson has addressed the current developments.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It first emerged in late 2019 and led to a global pandemic, with Pakistan reporting over 1.5 million confirmed cases and more than 30,000 deaths since then. While earlier waves overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system, widespread vaccination efforts and acquired immunity have helped reduce the severity of cases in recent years.