Dubai: Emirates on Wednesday announced it had temporarily suspended its passenger services to Pakistan after passengers from the country tested positive for coronavirus.

"Following the announcement of positive COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong relating to certain passengers who travelled on our flights, Emirates has taken the decision to temporarily suspend passenger services from Pakistan, from June 24," said the airline's spokesperson in a statement to The Khaleej Times.

Stating that the airline was working hard to resume services to the country, it said that cargo and repatriation flights to Pakistan will continue as per the announced schedule.

According to the airline, 26 passengers on-board an Emirates flight to Hong Kong had tested positive for COVID-19. These passengers were from Pakistan and had transited through Dubai airport before boarding another flight for Hong Kong.

Pakistan has been witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases over the past recent weeks and months. Medical experts have warned that the number of coronavirus cases in the country may reach four million by July, August.

Medical experts warn COVID-19 cases may reach 4mn by July, August
A Geo News research report has found that the number of coronavirus patients in the country may reach four million in the next two months.

The rapid increase in the number of coronavirus patients has put a question mark over official data owing to lack of facilities to test all virus suspects, with medical experts warning that a surge in deaths and number of patients indicate the looming danger.

The Geo News research report is based on experts’ comments and analysis of data collected from four big cities of the country.

Pakistan Medical Association’s Lahore chapter president Professor Ashraf Nizami has expressed concern over the upcoming situation, saying that the number of coronavirus patients may reach up to four million while the death toll may rise to 80,000.

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