Pakistan records 1841 new coronavirus cases, 36 deaths

KARACHI: The nationwide tally of Covid-19 patients in Pakistan rose to 43,966 on Tuesday as another 1841 people tested positive for the virus.

According to figures updated by the National Control and Operation Center, there are 15,976 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Punjab, 17,241 in Sindh, 6,230 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,820 in Balochistan, 1,034 in Islamabad, 550 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 115 in Azad Kashmir.

The virus has claimed at least 939 lives while some 12, 479 coronavirus patients have recovered so far.

In the last 24 hours, 12997 tests were conducted in Pakistan and out of them 1841 turned out to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

PM launches cash support program

Prime Minister Imran Khan formally launched Ehsaas Emergency Cash program for those rendered jobless due to Coronavirus. Over three billion rupees have so far been collected in the Corona Relief Fund.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister.

On the instructions of the Prime Minister, government will contribute four rupees for every rupee donated to the fund. Donations to the relief fund as well as release of funds from it is being done in a transparent manner.

Imran Khan interacted with the affectees and listened to their problems and grievances and assured them to take every possible steps in resolving their issues.

Sindh ahead of other provinces

In his daily briefing, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Monday said the province is now able to conduct 6,550 tests a day.

Shah said that there are 19 laboratories in the province testing samples for Covid-19, adding that they are operating at 77 per cent of their capacity.

Sharing updates about the coronavirus outbreak in Sindh, he apprised that 864 people were diagnosed with the virus on Monday, out of the 4,679 samples tested on the day. The tally has soared to 17,241 in the province, while a total of 127,573 people have been tested for Covid-19 so far. Meanwhile, three more coronavirus patients lost their lives, pushing the death toll to 280 in Sindh.

The CM said 12,472 patients are under treatment at the moment; of which 11,095 people are isolated at their homes, 815 at quarantine centres and 562 in hospitals. “So far, 4,489 [coronavirus] patients have regained health, which makes the recovery rate around 26 per cent,” he said. “The recovery ratio in the province has been stagnant and we are trying to improve it further,” he added.