Citing the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Pajhwok reported on March 31 that the number of positive coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has increased to 174

MoPH spokesman Wahidullah Mayar reportedly said that of 60 tests, four were positive -- two from Kandahar and one each from Daikundi and Nimroz provinces. At least 29 new positive cases have been detected in Herat, Kandahar, Daikundi and Nimroz provinces, taking Afghanistan’s tally to 174.

Mayar said 136 suspected cases had been brought to the Herat laboratory.  He added 25 of them tested positive. Seventeen men and eight women have been diagnosed with the virus in Herat. Mayar said two new cases had surfaced in Kandahar, one each in Nimroz and Daikundi provinces.

A day earlier, Public Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz said the capacity of medical facilities in the country would be boosted to 1,000 tests a day by the end of the week.  Afghanistan’s coronavirus-testing centers have capacity for 600 tests a day: 400 in Kabul and 100 each in Herat and Nangarhar provinces.