SURGING CORONAVIRUS CASES

Reuters, Islamabad/Colombo
Pakistan's prime minister has urged calm after its tally of coronavirus cases rose to 245 while Sri Lanka sealed itself off and shut its stock market yesterday, fuelling fears that South Asian countries are struggling to stem the pandemic.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Indian subcontinent rose overnight to 482 as authorities across the region imposed travel restrictions to block the fast-spreading disease that has infected nearly 200,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 8,000 people.

There are fears that inadequate health facilities will be overwhelmed in many parts of the poor, crowded region.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a late Tuesday address to the nation, urged citizens to remain calm and not rush to get tested.

"Even the U.S. doesn't have the resources to test everyone who comes," he said. "Only those with intense symptoms should go to hospital."

"There is no need to worry. We will fight this as a nation. And God-willing, we will win this war," Khan said.

Late on Tuesday, Pakistan said it would require all arriving air passengers to show they had tested negative for the disease. Land borders have already been shut.

Sri Lanka, which has recorded 43 coronavirus cases, said it would ban all incoming flights for two weeks from yesterday to combat the spread of the virus.

Officials also implemented price controls on lentils and sardines to ensure that no price gouging.