Pakistan reports 4,896 new cases, 62 deaths in 24 hours

By Zahid Hussain Khan

ISLAMABAD: The death toll from the coronavirus rose to 1,838 as another 62 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours.

At least 4,896 people have been tested positive in the past 24 hours, according to latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Center on Friday morning. All in all, 89,247 people have contracted the virus in Pakistan.

Sindh remains the worst-hit province with 33,536 cases followed by Punjab which has recorded 33,140 cases.  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 11, 890 positive cases, Balochistan has 5582, Gilgit Baltistan has 852 and AJk has 29 cases.

A total of more than 31,198 patients have recovered from the respiratory disease.

Overall, 22, 812 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and of them 4,896 came out positive.

NCOC meets

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Mr Asad Umer, chaired evening session at NCOC, which was attended by Minister for Interior Brig (Retired) Ejaz Ahmed Shah, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on COVID-19, Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan Ms Tania Aidrus and high level officials to review the latest situation of COVID-19 and assess federating unit’s needs.

Mr Asad Umer emphasized provision of optimum assistance to large cities and main hospitals who are facing infected patients influx.

Moreover, he emphasized that government is focusing on measures to contain the spread of deadly pandemic including strict action against violators.

The minister asked the provinces to share details of ramp up plan of health facilities and requirements from federal government to help them to cope with the situation effectively.

NCOC was told that a survey of capital’s graveyards and hospitals would be conducted within next few days to analyse the latest situation about the COVID-19. NCOC asked Sindh province to submit their COVID-19 plan of action and additional support required from federal government in writing after the meeting.

The Sindh representative told the forum that the province needs more equipment especially ventilators to meet the requirements. It was highlighted that 52 x ventilators have been released from NDMA stock and handed over to government of Sindh.

It was informed that province has also ordered 100 x ventilators, out which 8 have already arrived while remaining will be delivered to the province in July. Sindh representative said a hundred bed new hospital would start functioning in Karachi soon. The forum was told that Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has enhanced its capacity to accommodate COVID-19 patients.