-Over 2,600 new cases reported across country
-Punjab, Sindh push tally upwards
-Recoveries surpass 15,000 mark
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan saw its highest rise in death and the number of COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday with 50 deaths and 2,603 new confirmed cases across the country.The emergence of 2,603 new cases across the country takes the nation-wide tally to almost 50,700 cases. More than 1000 people have died from the virus so far.
As for patients under treatment from COVID-19, there are about 11,561 patients in hospitals across the country out of which 372 are said to be in a critical condition. The number of coronavirus patients in Sindh have increased from 18,455, to 19,924. An estimated 18,455 cases have been reported from Punjab, 7155 cases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 3,074 cases have emerged in Balochistan till date.Moreover, the number of coronavirus patients in Islamabad have increased to 1326, 602 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 158 in Azad Kashmir.
The country has been easing its lockdown in order to ward off an economic crisis from stagnating growth and the adverse effects of coronavirus on the financial structure of the country.
Pakistan confirmed 50 more deaths from novel coronavirus during past 24 hours as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 1,067 on Friday.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 2,603 persons have been tested positive for coronavirus in 24 hours, taking the overall tally of the infections in the country to 50,694. Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Till now 18,455 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 20,883 in Sindh, 7,391 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3,198 in Balochistan, 1,326 in Islamabad, 602 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 158 in Azad Kashmir. So far 15,201 patients have recovered their health, while 34,426 are still under treatment. Pakistan has so far conducted 445,987 coronavirus tests and 16,387 in last 24 hours.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed over 334,057 deaths across the world and more than five million and one hundred thousand infections have been detected.
The United States has the highest death toll of 96,280 followed by Britain with 36,042 and Italy with 32,486.
Over two million people so far have recovered from the infection.
As many as 959 new cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Sindh over the past 24 hours, rising the tally of infections to 20, 883 across the province.
In a video statement on the coronavirus situation, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said 959 new infections were detected when 6,023 testes were conducted. Four more people died from the disease in the previous 24 hours, taking the number of fatalities to 340 in the province, he added.
A total of 149,566 tests have been conducted in the province, the CM disclosed.
He said 170 patients are in critical condition, of them 41 are on ventilators.
The chief minister said a total of 13,528 patients are under treatment, 11,895 are in home isolation, 836 at various hospitals and 797 at isolation centres. He disclosed 2252 more patients have been cured and discharged to their homes.
660 more people recuperated from the disease and discharged to their respective homes as the number of people defeating the deadly virus has reached 7,015, Murad Ali Shah said.
He appealed to the masses to celebrate this Eid with simplicity and stay at home during the holidays. He said the current coronavirus situation poses a risk to our lives and that we have to take care of each other.
Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr. Zafar Mirza has warned the COVID-19 situation could further worsen if the people did not practice the precautionary measures.
Briefing the media in Islamabad on Friday, the special assistance said the country recorded 2603 new coronavirus cases with fifty deaths during the last twenty four hours which are the highest in a single day.
He said the country also conducted the highest number of coronavirus tests during the last twenty-four hours.
The special assistant recalled that the lockdown was eased in view of the difficulties of the poor people and the daily wagers.
Dr Zafar Mirza appealed the people to follow the SOPs agreed for Ramazan-ul-Mubarak in the prayers of Juma-tul-Wida and Eid.
He said it has been made mandatory for the people to wear masks at any gathering or while using the public transport.
He said this will help the people to keep themselves and others safe from the contagion.Punjab government has decided to reopen theatres and restaurants after Eid-ul-Fitr amid coronavirus outbreak in the country.
According to details, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Sardar Usman Buzadar has given principle approval on opening or theatres and restaurants across the province.
The CM has sought standard operating procedures (SOPs) from Information and Culture Department in this regard.
Sources told that the decision was taken in the wake of increasing financial crisis of artists. It is to be mentioned here that Pakistan confirmed 50 more deaths from novel coronavirus in one day as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 1,067 and positive cases surged to 50,694.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 2,603 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.
Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Till now 18,455 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 19,924 in Sindh, 7,155 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3,074 in Balochistan, 13,26 in Islamabad, 602 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 158 in Azad Kashmir.
Patients are under treatment at quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available.
Pakistan has so far conducted 445,987 coronavirus tests and 16,387 in last 24 hours. 14,155 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas many are in critical condition.
