The number of confirmed cases in Afghanistan has soared to 22 as one new positive case has been confirmed in the western Herat province, Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Mayar said Tuesday.

The new positive case was detected in Herat province, the epicenter of the disease in Afghanistan, bringing the total to 13 in the province.

There are three positive cases in the northern Samangan, two in the eastern Logar and four more cases in the northern Balkh, eastern Kapisa, central Daikundi and western Badghis provinces, one in each province respectively, the official added.

Out of 281 suspected cases tested in Afghanistan, 22 proved positive and the remaining 259 were negative, according to the official.

A total of 37 suspected COVID-19 patients escaped from a hospital in western Afghan province of Herat on Monday, authorities confirmed.

Xinhua