LIVE: Coronavirus hotspots being sealed across country as tally surges to 163,218

Sindh witnesses highest single-day Covid-19 fatalities

ISLAMABAD / KARACHI / PESHAWAR / LAHORE / QUETTA / MUZAFFARABAD: The novel coronavirus emerged in the central China city of Wuhan towards the end of last year and proliferated to almost the whole world within a couple of months. It’s not the virulence or fatality, but the infectivity of the new virus – also known as SARS-CoV-2 – that has set off a global frenzy.

The Covid-19 respiratory illness caused by this mysterious contagion has so far infected more than 7.9 million people in 202 countries and territories of the world – and over 435,000 of them have died and counting.

Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained coronavirus-free until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive after returning from Iran – one of the worst-hit countries. After a brief hiatus following the first case, Covid-19 cases spiked as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive for the virus.

Nearly one-and-a-half months after imposing the lockdown across the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to ease the lockdown in phases.

The nationwide tally of Covid-19 patients stands at 163,218 with 60,138 cases in Punjab, 62,269 in Sindh, 20,182 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 8,998 in Balochistan, 1,225 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 9,637 in Islamabad and 769 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The virus has claimed at least 3,117 lives while around 59,519 coronavirus patients have recovered.

The situation remains fluid and we’re updating stats as soon as new figures are officially released.

Follow The Express Tribune’s live coverage of the pandemic here.



12:14am: 29 more Covid-19 cases take AJK tally to 769

At least 29 more people diagnosed with the contagious disease in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), taking the tally to 769.

According to health authorities, 10 more patients have recovered from the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total recoveries to 312.



10:35pm: 12 more people contract coronavirus in G-B

As many as 12 more people have infected with the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, in Gilgit-Baltistan in the last 24 hours, bringing the region’s tally to 1,225.

According to health authorities, currently the region has 413 active cases.



9:42pm: Balochistan reports six more Covid-19 deaths, 204 new cases

With six more fatalities, Balochistan's Covid-19 death toll has risen to 99, according to a spokesperson of the provincial health department.

Dr Wasim Baig said that 204 new cases were reported in the province during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 8,998.

He said that 3,140 patients have also recovered from the deadly disease in the province so far.





7:58pm: 18 more Covid-19 patients die, 569 fresh cases emerge in K-P

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 569 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 20,182.

According to the provincial health department, 18 more patients lost their lives due to the contagious disease as the death toll in K-P soared to 773.

They also said that 304 patients recovered from Covid-19, taking the total to 5,441.

569 new cases (26 Torkham, 7 Int'l flights) taking total to 20,182. 18 more lives were lost (5 Peshawar, 3 Swat, 2 Karak, 2 Malakand, 1 each in Swabi, Dir Lower & Upper, Haripur, Battagram, Bajaur) taking total to 773. 304 patients recovered taking total to 5,441. pic.twitter.com/dYJmSijpfE

— Health Department KP (@HealthKPGovt) June 18, 2020

7:13pm: Govt uses technology to identify coronavirus hotspots across country

Planning Minister Asad Umar, who is also heading the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), has said that the information about the Covid-19 hotspots across the country has been shared with the provinces.

"Virus hotpots which we identified through the technology will be sealed by the provincial governments," he said during a press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.

NCOC, he said, is helping the provinces to strengthen their health care sector and oxygen beds are being supplied across the country.



4:50pm: Gilgit-Baltistan minister succumbs to Covid-19

Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Agriculture Janbaz Khan was reported to have died on Thursday, a week after he was diagnosed with Covid-19.

“He had been on a ventilator for four days,” said a doctor at Gilgit’s city hospital where the 64-year-old minister was admitted.

“He had a heart related disease, besides diabetes,” said the doctor - also treating Malik Miskeen, another seasoned politician from district Diamer.

The veteran politician belonged from the Diamer district and had the honour of being elected five times to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

He is survived by two wives, five sons and four daughters.



Read more here



4:00pm: 176 beds arranged for province's main hospitals: Ajmal Wazir

Khyber-Pakhutnkhwa spokesperson Ajmal Wazir said the government was increasing the capacity of hospitals as per the directives of the chief minister.

To that effect, Wazir said that 176 beds have been arranged for the province's main hospitals dealing with a high number of Covid-19 patients.

He said that in the previous 10 days, 32 ICUs, whereas 144 high-density unit beds have also been added.



3:20pm: Sindh reports highest single-day death toll 

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reported 2,286 new cases, raising the provincial tally to 62,269.

The chief minister said the highest number of patients succumbed to the virus in the province today, with 48 more deaths. Punjab's death toll stands at 964.

Out of the 2,286 new cases, 1,395 cases emerged from Karachi.

2:50pm: Balochistan govt spokesperson speaks to media

LIVE #APPNews : Spokesperson #Balochistan Government Liaquat shahwani talks to media #Quetta @jam_kamal @dpr_gob https://t.co/tcnAjUZQIL

— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) June 18, 2020

2:25pm: Sindh's share in Ehsas programme increases from 22.45% to 33%

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar said Sindh's share in the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme has increased from 22.45 per cent to 33 per cent.

Rs60 billion has been allocated to Sindh through this government initiative, which will provide relief to more than five million families.

وزیر ایظم کےکروناریلیف فنڈکےتحت موصول شدہ درخواستوں کے تناسب سےاحساس ایمرجنسی کیش پروگرام میں سندھ کاحصہ %22.45 سے بڑھا کر%31کردیاگیا ہے۔سیاست سےبالاتراس حکومتی اقدام سےسندھ کیلیئےاب 60ارب روپےمختص کیئےگئے ہیں جس سےصوبےبھرمیں 50لاکھ سےزائدمستحق خاندان احساس امداد حاصل کر سکیں گے۔

— Sania Nishtar (@SaniaNishtar) June 18, 2020

2:20pm: Punjab reports 1,899 new cases

Punjab health authorities reported 1,899 new cases, raising the provincial tally to 60,138.

53 more persons have succumbed to the virus and the province's death toll stands at 1,202.

1:40pm: SAPM Arif Ahmedzai contracts Covid-19

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Department Arif Ahmedzai has tested positive for Covid-19.

Doctors recommended a Covid-19 test and the results came back positive. The special assistant has quarantined at home.

1:20pm: Dr Shahbaz Gill visits hospitals in DI Khan, reviews facilities for Covid-19 patients

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill arrived in Dera Ismail Khan, as per the directives of the premier.

He visited the Divisional Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) and Mufti Mehmood Hospital and reviewed facilities available to Covid-19 patients.

The special assistant lauded the efforts of doctors and nurses for their efforts to combat the deadly disease.

12:50pm: 14 patients recovered at LRH in 24-hour period

In the last 24 hours, 14 patients at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) have recovered, said the hospital's spokesperson.

The spokesperson said most of the recovered patients are between the ages of 50 and 80.

He said a total of 140 patients have recovered, adding that doctors and nurses are working hard to treat Covid-19 patients.

12:20pm: SP visits sealed areas in Punjab 

Superintendent of Police (SP) Model Town Ijaz Rasheed visited checkpoints at Gulberg, Ghalib Market and Garden Town to instruct police personnel deployed at the check posts to fully implement the lockdown and ensure SOPs are strictly followed in Punjab.

He ordered police personnel to be kind to the citizens and inform them about the lockdown.

11:45am: Dr Zafar Mirza says AKU, HSA will train 50,000 healthcare workers

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza said Aga Khan University (AKU) will be partnering with Health Services Academy (HSA) to train 50,000 healthcare workers from across Pakistan and will contribute to basic training of intensive care units (ICU).

11:30am: NDMA delivers more testing equipment across Pakistan

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has delivered more testing equipment to the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan each received 20,000 RNA auto extractors, while 10,000 each were given to AJK and G-B.

Punjab and AJK received one RNA auto extraction machine each.

11:05am: Dr Zafar Mirza discusses testing capacity, unified testing fee

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza chaired a meeting to strengthen testing capacity and a unified testing fee for Covid-19.

Representatives from public and private laboratories attended the meeting.

Special Advisor to PM for Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, chaired a meeting to strengthen testing capacity and unified testing fee regarding COVID-19. All representatives from the public and private laboratories attended the meeting. pic.twitter.com/UjM4LCboub

— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) June 18, 2020

10:40am: Govt reopens Taftan border for seven days

The federal government has reopened the Taftan border for seven days and declared the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) mandatory.

The notification has been issued by the Interior Ministry.

10:15am: Qureshi telephones Russian counterpart to discuss Covid-19

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to discuss matters of mutual interest, including Covid-19.

Qureshi offered condolences to the Russian foreign minister for the loss of lives due to the pandemic and the ministers discussed the socioeconomic ramifications of the virus.

Lavrov expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against Covid-19.

Qureshi apprised his Russian counterpart of Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for 'Global Initiative on Debt Relief' for developing countries. Lavrov expressed support for the initiative.

9:40am: 615 cases registered in Lahore for violating SOPs

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Zulfiqar Hameed said 615 cases were registered in the city for violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.

Police investigated 1,113 markets and 28,110 shops and sealed 1,761 shop for violating government orders.

In addition, 15,964 shopkeepers received warnings for minor violations.

CCPO Lahore has ordered all divisional officers to ensure SOPs during lockdown.

He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outside the house.

9:05am: Govt, AKU partnership to support healthcare workers

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said the federal government has partnered with Aga Khan University (AKU) to support healthcare workers on the frontline fighting against Covid-19.

He said healthcare workers can can call 021-34862100 to book a tele-consult and discuss difficult cases.

<319> The Government has partnered with @AKUGlobal @adilhaiderMD to support healthcare workers caring for hospitalised #COVID19 patients. They can call 021-34862100 to book a tele-consult and discuss difficult cases / critical care management. pic.twitter.com/M5pCY9ruXP

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) June 18, 2020

8:30am: Controlled entry, exit point in Rawalpindi hotspots 

Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Momin Agha issued a notification and ordered a "controlled entry and exit point" in the Rawalpindi district - identified as hotspots of Covid-19.

The notification said all markets, shopping malls, restaurants and office will remain closed in the area.

In addition, there will be a complete ban on movement into and from these areas by public transport.

There will be a complete ban on any type of social or religious gathering, the notification read.

Grocery stores, fruit shops and general stores will remain open from 9am to 7pm, while medical services, pharmacies and laboratories will remain open round-the-clock. Milk shops and meat shops will remain open from 7am to 7pm.

7:50am: Nationwide tally stands at 160,118

The National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) reported 5,358 cases in the last 24 hours, raising the nationwide tally to 160,118.

118 persons succumbed to the virus and the Covid-19 death toll stands at 3,093, while at least 59,215 patients have recovered from the contagion.

7:00am: Rs60bn being distributed among people affected by Covid-19

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar said under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, Rs60 billion is being distributed among five million families in Sindh.

Briefing Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to the cash disbursement centre in Larkana, the special assistant said the share of Sindh in the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme has enhanced from 22 per cent to 31 per cent.

Out of 185,000 families, at least 115,000 families have been provided cash assistance, she added.

The special assistant said a sum of Rs2.2 billion will be distributed to families in Larkana and 36 cash distribution centres have been established.