Pakistan reports six deaths as number of coronavirus cases surge to 824

Pakistan reports six deaths as number of coronavirus cases surge to 824

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan on Monday has reported six deaths from novel coronavirus while the total number of cases have surged to 824 as 352 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 108 in Balochistan, 246 in Punjab, 31 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 71 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 15 in Islamabad and one in Azad Kashmir. Dr Usama Riaz, who played a vital role in screening suspected patients in the region, has passed away as number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose.

A statement issued by Gilgit-Baltistan Information Department stated with great grief that Dr. Usama Riaz Jam, who played a leading role in Gilgit-Baltistan’s fight against coronavirus, has passed away. The martyr will be given status of a national hero.

Spokesperson of Balochistan government has confirmed first death of the province. 65-year-old Muhammad Ali, who was resident of Alamdar Road, was receiving treatment at Sheikh Zaid Hospital from four days. So far, six people have been sent back to their homes after fully recovering from the deadly virus. 

Punjab imposes partial lockdown as  provincial tally rises to 246

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar announced that that a lockdown will be imposed throughout the province for the next 14 days.

Pharmacies, grocery stores, vegetable markets and milk shops will remain open.

Earlier, Spokesperson of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar Musarrat Jamshed Cheema has confirmed 225 cases in the province.

According to details, out of 225 cases 153 are Zaireen, 36 in Lahore, four in Gujranwala, three each in Gujrat and Jehlum, two in Rawalpindi and one patient is in Multan.

As of now, there are 225 confirmed patients in Punjab. Out of which 153 are Zaireen, 36 in Lahore, 4 in Gujranwala, 3 each in Gujrat and Jehlum, 2 in Rawalpindi and 1 patient is in Multan. Please stay indoors and stay safe. We owe this to ourselves and our loved ones.

— Musarrat Jamshed Cheema (@MusarratJCheema) March 22, 2020

Sindh and GB impose lockdowns as number of cases rise

Sindh government has imposed lockdown in the province from Sunday night after the number of coronavirus cases surged to 352.

According to details, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said that during the lockdown, grocery and medical stores would remain open.

Following the footsteps of Sindh government, Gilgit-Baltistan government has also imposed lockdown in the province from 12:00am tonight in wake of the spread of coronavirus pandemic as provincial tally rises to 71.

Addressing a press conference in Chitral on Sunday, Gilgit-Baltistan Law Minister Aurangzeb Khan said that the province will be locked down from midnight (tonight) for an indefinite period.

Complete lockdown in country will badly affect livelihood of daily wagers: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, while addressing the nation, has said that complete lockdown in the country due to the coronavirus will badly affect the livelihood of poverty-stricken people as Pakistan does not have enough resources to provide free food to the people at their homes.

Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab govts seek Army assistance

Balochistan government has written a letter for giving civil authority to the army under Article 245 in order to curb the spread of the virus.

On the other hand, the Sindh government has requested the federation to send army soldiers for the help of civil administration under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in imposing lockdown.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) has also decided to contact Pakistan Army for assistance and vowed to use all the resources for saving the lives of people from coronavirus.