Coronavirus death toll jumps to 873 in Pakistan, 40,151 persons infected

At least 1,352 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan confirmed 39 more deaths from novel coronavirus in one day as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 873 and positive cases surged to 40,151, Dunya News reported on Saturday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,352 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.

Province-wise Details

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Till now 14,584 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 15,590 in Sindh, 5,847 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,544 in Balochistan, 947 in Islamabad, 527 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 112 in Azad Kashmir.

Patients are under treatment at quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available.

Tests and Recoveries 

Pakistan has so far conducted 373,410 coronavirus tests and 14,175 in last 24 hours. 11,341 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas many are in critical condition.

 Violation of SOPs: Punjab govt considers closing various markets in Lahore

Following the continuous violation of SOPs and precautionary measures by the traders, the Punjab government is considering closing various markets in Lahore.

According to sources, a high level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar. The meeting expressed serious concerns over the situation in the markets.

Sources said that SOPs were being violated in markets and the proposal to close some markets immediately in being considered.

According to sources, the government is considering to close Hall Road, Shah Alam Market, Anarkali and Azam Market in Lahore, while there are no security measures at Ichhra Bazaar, Township Bazaar and other places.

Sources privy to the government said that the shops will be challaned in the first phase and then the shops will be sealed as SOPs do not seem to be implemented.

On Tuesday, Punjab government had threatened to re-impose a lockdown if the businesses continue to flout SOPs issued by the government as a part of easing the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking at the LCCI, Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal said that the actions of the traders are not pleasing and are affecting the efforts of the government to control the outbreak of COVID-19.

The minister said if traders continue to disregard the SOPs agreed on before easing the lockdown, Punjab government won’t think twice about re-imposing the lockdown. This time around, however, the lockdown will be stricter than the previous one.

Mian Aslam Iqbal said Lahore has become the centre of the coronavirus in Punjab and the locally transmitted cases of the virus are increasing the country, adding that the traders must show a sense of responsibility to avoid the lockdown reimposition.

He said the lives of people have been put on stake for a few rupees. “I am tired of advocating for traders, but they have cross all the limits,” he said and added the attitude of the responsible people is beyond comprehension.

The provincial minister appealed that children should not be allowed in the markets while guards should be posted in the shops and markets, adding that all shopkeepers should arrange hand sanitizers.