Islamabad: In a bid to tackle sudden outbreak of COVID-19,  Pakistan government has planned to accommodate mild to moderate patients in homes while critical patients will be admitted to hospitals.

There have been six reported cases in Pakistan of which one patient has recovered and been allowed to join his family, Dawn reported.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services (NHS) Dr Zafar Mirza told Dawn that it was possible that the virus could die because of the rising temperature.

“However, as this is a new virus and this is the first outbreak in the world we cannot say for sure that the virus will be killed by the increase in temperature. So, at the same time, we are also making alternative arrangements to accommodate patients in the event of a sudden increase in cases,” he said.

Dr Mirza said the disease has a mortality rate of around 2 per cent which is why it has been decided that if there is a rise in cases, mild to moderate patients should be in houses - either their own or houses and buildings selected by the government for this purpose - which will be converted into isolation wards.

“As only 20pc of patients become critically ill, they will be admitted to hospital and provided proper care,” he added, explaining that patients who are more likely to develop serious symptoms because of their age, immunity level or pre-existing conditions would be considered critical.