Death toll rises to 346 as coronavirus infects 15,759 across Pakistan

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Pakistan on Wednesday reported 19 more deaths from novel coronavirus as number of cases across the country reached 15,759 and 346 persons lost their lives.

According to details, 6,061 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 5,695 in Sindh, 2,313 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 978 in Balochistan, 333 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 313 in Islamabad and 66 in Azad Kashmir while 4,052 patients have recovered so far.

PUNJAB

Punjab is the worst-hit province by the coronavirus pandemic where 6,061 patients have been tested positive. Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said the province is now going to start smart sampling.

The CM took to Twitter and wrote, “Punjab is going to start smart sampling and a committee has been formed in this regard which will give its opinion to devise future strategies based on the test results.

“Initially, the government’s priority was to conduct tests of those individuals who were placed in quarantine centers.

“Now we will be able to analyze the situation better by conducting tests of local community as we have increased our testing capacity and the burden has reduced.”

SINDH

Sindh is the second most affected province with 5,695 COVID-19 patients and its governor, Imran Ismail, has also been tested positive for the epidemic.

The Governor Sindh took to the twitter to make the announcement saying, “I have just been tested Covid 19 positive, Allah Kareem inshallah will fight it out.”

He further said, “@ImranKhanPTI thought us to fight out the most difficult in life and I believe this is nothing against what we r prepared for. May Allah give strength to fight this Pandemic Inshallah.”

Earlier, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab told that 182 children under ten and over 900 persons over 60 years of age are suffering from the pandemic in the province. He urged all to stay at home.

BALOCHISTAN

Number of coronavirus cases is increasing in Balochistan as well after the provincial regime announced relaxation in the lockdown. It has been learnt that the virus has started transmitting locally and the government needs to take  tough decisions to counter the epidemic.