Pakistan reports 35 deaths, 1,764 new coronavirus cases

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday recorded its single biggest jump in Coronavirus cases with 1,764 confirmed cases.

On May 6, there were 1,523 new cases – the highest daily increase till then Then on May 7, there were 1,764 cases – breaking the record for the highest set only the previous day

According to the National Command Centre, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country soared to 25,837. Of these, 9,093 were reported in Sindh, 10,033 in Punjab, 3,956 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,725 in Balochistan, 558 in Islamabad, 394 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 78 in Azad Kashmir.

Over seven thousand and five hundred patients have recovered from the virus so far.

This came on the day Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that from May 9 the nationwide lockdown would be lifted in phases.

In a media briefing after National Coordination Committee meeting regarding COVID-19 in Islamabad, he said the decision has been taken in consultation with all the provinces to ease out people’s lives.

He said labourers, ordinary people, and small business had suffered a lot due to lockdown, which prompted us to open the curbs. He said 35 percent of our revenue collection has decreased, while exports have also come down.

“We have already opened the construction sector and from today we are going to open various sectors relating to the construction industry.”

The Prime Minister appealed the people to observe self-discipline and Standard Operating Procedure to prevent spread of Coronavirus pandemic, when curbs of lockdown are eased.

“We can again go for lockdown if Coronavirus cases increase in the country to beyond limits.”

He said social distancing and precautionary measures ere prerequisites to avoid spread of the virus and a responsible society realizes this fact.

“We have to protect our people, especially the downtrodden, from Corona as well as hunger and other diseases.”

The Prime Minister said there was lack of consensus on opening of public transport. He said there was a disagreement among provinces over this matter and we do not open this sector without provinces’ will.