Masjid-e-Tooba in Karachi. PHOTO COURTESY: https://en.wikipedia.org
The novel coronavirus – which wrecked the central China metropolis of Wuhan in the direction of the tip of final December – has now unfold to all continents excluding Antarctica. The COVID-19 respiratory sickness brought on by the mysterious pathogen has to this point killed 1000’s of individuals and contaminated near half a million others throughout the globe.
Although the lethal infestation has been contained by the Chinese language authorities in Wuhan, the virus has now unfold elsewhere, particularly in Europe and america, with the World Well being Organisation declaring Europe as the brand new epicentre of the viral illness.
Pakistan, regardless of its shut proximity with China, remained unscathed till February 26 when a younger man from Karachi examined optimistic for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran – one of many worst-hit nations.
After a short pause following the primary case, COVID-19 instances witnessed a pointy surge as extra pilgrims coming back from Iran examined optimistic.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 sufferers has crossed 1,100 with 422 instances in Sindh; 131 in Balochistan; 405 in Punjab; 123 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; 91 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 25 in Islamabad; and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with 9 deaths.
Comply with The Specific Tribune’s stay protection of the pandemic right here.
11:44pm: Third coronavirus case emerge in Hyderabad, pushing provincial tally to 422
A 14-year-old boy has been examined optimistic for COVID-19 in Hyderabad, elevating the Sindh tally to 422.
Earlier within the day, the boy’s father was additionally examined optimistic for the contagious illness who had not too long ago returned from the UK.
Assessments of all different members of the family together with servants have examined unfavorable. The younger affected person is being shifted to a non-public hospital in Karachi.
9:33pm: Sindh bans five-time and Friday prayers in mosques until April 5
In an unprecedented transfer, the Sindh authorities has imposed a ban on five-time congregational prayer, together with Friday prayer, efficient from tomorrow (March 27) until April 5 in a bid to comprise the unfold of novel coronavirus.
The choice was taken with the session of all stakeholders together with non secular clerics belong to all sects, the provincial authorities spokesperson Murtaza Wahab mentioned on Thursday.
He mentioned solely employees members of mosque can be allowed to supply Friday prayer.
کورونا وائرس کے پھیلاؤ کو روکنے کے لئے حکومت سندھ کا بڑا فیصلہ، مساجد میں عام افراد باجماعت نماز ادا نہیں کرسکیں گے، فیصلہ تمام مکاتب فکر کے علمائے اکرام اور طبی ماہرین کی مشاورت کے بعد کیا گیا ہے۔ مسجد کے عملے سمیت پانچ افراد باجماعت نماز پڑھ سکیں گے۔شہری فیصلے کی پابندی کریں۔
— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 26, 2020
8:33pm: Sindh imports ‘thousands of protective gears for frontline medical staff’
The Sindh authorities has imported 1000’s of protecting kits for the frontline medical employees preventing the novel coronavirus.
Provincial well being authorities instructed The Specific Tribune on Thursday that protecting gear included numerous medical robes, goggles, gloves and facial masks which is able to defend the medical groups from being contaminated with the contagious illness.
8:00pm: Seven new instances of COVID-19 floor in G-B, elevating area’s tally to 91
With seven new instances, the tally of coronavirus sufferers climbed to 91 in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Thursday amidst lockdown that entered its 4th day.
“Seven more people tested positive in G-B and one of them is said to be in critical condition,” adviser to G-B Chief Minister on data Shams Mir instructed a information convention at Gilgit Press Membership.
“They are all local transmissions and belonged to Baltistan,” the adviser mentioned, including that two sufferers have additionally recovered.
Learn full story right here…
6:40pm: All academic establishments to stay closed until Might 31
Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar has introduced that each one academic establishments throughout the nation nwill stay closed until Might 31.
Assembly can be held tomorrow to resolve the difficulty of transportation of meals provides and necessities, he mentioned in a joint media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
“There is no shortage of wheat in the country,” Umar assured.
He additionally mentioned that each one political events and provinces are working collectively to resolve the disaster.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to make two major announcements related to financial bailout package tomorrow or a day after tomorrow.”
There isn’t a worry of meals scarcity within the nation, the federal minister added.
Stroll via testing machine for COVID-19
Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Auhtority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal vowed that until April 5 all 30,000 medical doctors working at completely different hospital within the nation can be supplied with protecting gear field.
“5,000 diagnostic kits will be arriving in Pakistan,” he mentioned, including, “These equipment will be distributed in all provinces as per their requirement.”
To promptly halt the unfold the contagion, the NDMA chief mentioned: “China is sending us walk through testing machine which will arrive in Pakistan by next week.”
‘Mosques will not be closed’
Minister for Spiritual Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri mentioned that mosques wouldn’t be shut. “However, congregational prayers will be limited allowing only those associated with the mosque, those who are healthy will be allowed.”
Minors and aged gained’t be allowed, he added.
Chatting with media, State Well being Minister Dr Zafar Mirza has mentioned that the 21 COVID-19 sufferers have been absolutely recovered and discharged from hospital.
6:15pm: Younger medical doctors lead coronavirus battle
For Dr Shobha Luxmi, life has fully modified since she was appointed head of an isolation ward for the coronavirus sufferers on the government-run Dow College of Well being Sciences Hospital Karachi.
She is one among 1000’s of medical professionals on the forefront of Pakistan’s battle towards a formidable coronavirus outbreak, which has left tens of millions beneath lockdown throughout the nation.
The problem is all of the extra larger given the nation’s weak public well being system.
Other than the danger of contracting the virus from sufferers, the medical doctors, nurses, and different medical employees are additionally consistently coping with a rising sense of tension and the exhaustion of their never-ending shifts.
Learn full story right here…
4:45pm: Punjab stories 12 new instances
The provincial well being division confirmed 12 new instances of the novel coronavirus in Punjab – Pakistan’s most populous province.
There are actually 335 confirmed instances in Punjab.
پنجاب میں کورونا وائرس کے 335 کنفرم مریض ہیں-
83 لاہور
گجرات 21
گوجرانوالہ 8
جہلم 19
راولپنڈی 4
ملتان 3
فیصل آباد 3
منڈی بہاوالدین 1
ناروال 1
رحیم یار خان 1
سرگودھا 1
اٹک 1
بہاولنگر 1
زائرین (ملتان 12)
زائرین (ڈی جی خان ) 176#PunjabCoronaVirusUpdate#stayhomesavelives #covid19— Well being Division Punjab (@HealthPunjabGov) March 26, 2020
4:00pm: Islamabad admin seals two localities
The authorities in Islamabad sealed the localities of Shahzad City and H-9 Rimsha colony as each areas have a optimistic coronavirus case.
DC Islamabad mentioned well being groups will monitor and take applicable measures and after a survey the localities can be opened. He added that Bara Kahu is partially open.
Shahzad City Sealed
H-9 Rimsha colony sealed
Each areas have one optimistic case every. Well being groups will monitor the world and take measures. After well being survey we’ll open it. Bara Kahu can be partially opened. pic.twitter.com/ZMA9hoM6Jo— Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) March 26, 2020
3:40pm: Mardan’s Manga village in full lockdown
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Well being Division mentioned the village of Manga in Mardan is beneath full lockdown, whereas efforts are being made for containment and screening.
Meals is being supplied to the residents.
3:15pm: Rupee loses floor, depreciates to 166
The Pakistani forex depreciated a recent Rs4.40 to Rs166 towards the US greenback in intraday commerce within the interbank market.
The rupee is buying and selling past its all-time low closing at Rs164.05 on June 27, 2019; some 9 months in the past.
Learn full story right here
3:05pm: Sindh stories eight extra instances
Provincial well being authorities reported addition of eight instances to the provincial tally.
Three new instances had been reported in Karachi and one in Hyderabad. Provincial tally now stands at 421.
2:00 pm: Males preserve social distance whereas ready for ration baggage
Males sit on the bottom with traces drawn with chalk to keep up protected distance as they wait to obtain sacks of ration handouts from a distribution level of a charity welfare throughout a partial lockdown in Karachi. PHOTO: Reuters
1:45 pm: Policemen salute a health care provider in Islamabad
PHOTO: EXPRESS
1:34 pm: Shares rally over 800 factors in intra-day buying and selling
The Pakistan inventory market has bounced again by over 800 factors and recovered above 28,000 factors in intra-day commerce.
At 1:34pm, the KSE-100 index – a benchmark for market efficiency – was up 548.90 factors or 2.02% to face at 27,777.70.
Learn extra right here.
1:30 pm: PDMA dispatches reduction gadgets to quarantine centres in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Catastrophe Administration Authority dispatched reduction gadgets to quarantine centres in eleven districts of the province.
The districts embrace Battagram, Buner, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber, Kohistan, Kurram, Nowshera, Orakzai, Peshawar and Higher Dir.
750 litres of sanitisers, beds, soaps, masks, hygiene kits, mattresses, gloves, turbines and first-aid containers had been distributed.
1:05 pm: CM Balochistan urges folks to clap, flash cell lights at 9pm
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal mentioned everybody ought to present appreciation for medical doctors – who’re standing on the frontline of the pandemic – by clapping and flashing cell lights whereas standing on our balconies or close to home windows at 9pm.
Many contries are doing it..
If all of us tonight at 9 clock from our balconies, roofs and home windows come out…clap and open our cell flash to understand and encourage our well being medical doctors and those that are at entrance foot with this Pandemic #coronavirus
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) March 26, 2020
1:00 pm: World Financial institution financing buy of ventilators, masks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa well being ministry and the World Financial institution are working collectively to fight the pandemic, mentioned provincial Well being Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra.
He mentioned the World Financial institution is financing the acquisition of 120 ventilators and 210,000 masks for the province.
KP Well being & World Financial institution are working collectively to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The MDTF supported ERKF mission is financing the acquisition of 120 ventilators & 210,000 masks to be used within the province. Extra assist from WB and others will observe.
We’re on this collectively!
@Illango_WB— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 26, 2020
12:41 pm: Bilawal Bhutto says govt should renegotiate cope with IMF
Pakistan Peoples Get together Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto mentioned the federal authorities should renegotiate its cope with the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF).
He mentioned given the state of affairs and the affect of the coronavirus on the worldwide economic system, the federal government should negotiate new phrases.
It has been Pakistan Peoples Get together’s place for a while that federal authorities should renegotiate its ruinous cope with the IMF. Given we face world pandemic authorities should renegotiate new phrases with IMF that takes under consideration affect of #COVID on world economic system.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) March 26, 2020
12:30pm: PM Imran performs earth-breaking of latest infectious illness centre
Prime Minister Imran Khan carried out the earth-breaking ceremony of Isolation Hospital and Infectious Ailments Remedy centre in Islamabad.
The hospital can be constructed by the Frontier Works Organisation. Chairman NDMA Lieutenant Common Muhammad Afzal briefed the Prime Minister in regards to the Isolation hospital and centre.
12:20 pm: PM visits isolation centre in Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived on the isolation centre in Islamabad and was given a tour of the amenities by NDMA Chairman Lieutenant Muhammad Afzal.
Well being Minister Zafar Mirza accompanied the premier.
11:32 am: Automobiles barred from coming into Islamabad
Islamabad Police has barred autos from coming into the federal capital.
Automobiles had been stopped on the Faizabad interchange and solely individuals who have pressing work within the metropolis had been allowed to enter.
11:20 am: 12 new instances reported in Balochistan
Provincial authorities in Balochistan reported 12 new instances, elevating the tally to 127.
No less than 2,033 folks have been screened whereas 277 had been shifted to the Taftan quarantine centre and 111 within the RDA quarantine centre.
Blood samples for 1,455 folks had been additionally taken.
11:00 am: PIA presents unique premium flights
Pakistan Worldwide Airways (PIA) introduced that it is going to be working unique premium flights for these passengers who must return dwelling instantly.
The flights can be operated just one means from Pakistan.
In a rare humanitarian gesture, PIA can be working unique premium flights for these passengers who urgently must return dwelling. Because of journey restrictions these can be operated just one means from Pakistan. For bookings go to https://t.co/zzPi4NyCFA #PIA #PIACares pic.twitter.com/fA5XXMom53
— PIA (@Official_PIA) March 26, 2020
10:45 am: Govt approves Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu flight operations
The federal authorities has permitted home flight operations to and from Islamabad Worldwide Airport for Gilgit and Skardu.
The choice is efficient from March 26 until April 2.
Different home flight operations will stay suspended.
10:26 am: 4 new coronavirus instances in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The well being division confirmed 4 new coronavirus instances in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, elevating the provincial tally to 115.
10:20 am: PM Imran to chair Nationwide Coordination Committee (NCC) assembly
PM Imran will chair the second assembly of the Nationwide Coordination Committee on coronavirus as we speak.
Well being Minister Zafar Mirza mentioned the assembly will evaluation implementations of the choices made within the first assembly.
10:00 am: First coronavirus case confirmed in Attock
The primary case of the novel coronavirus has been confirmed within the Attock district. A feminine affected person from the Gharibwal village in Pindigheb tehsil of Attock examined optimistic for the virus.
The lady returned from Saudi Arabia on March 15 and was admitted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ), alongside her husband who was additionally displaying signs of the virus.
The lady examined optimistic for the virus, whereas her husband examined unfavorable.
Pindigheb Deputy District Well being Officer Manzoor Hussain says 17 others returned from Saudi Arabia and weren’t saved in quarantine. As a precautionary measure, the Gharibwal village has been cordoned off.
9:49 am: PM Imran to go to isolation centre in Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan will go to a coronavirus isolation centre in Islamabad as we speak.
Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant Muhammad Afzal will transient the prime minister, on the event.
9:30 am: First coronavirus case in Abbottabad
That is the primary optimistic case of the novel coronavirus in Abbottabad. The 29-year-old man returned from america on March 20 and examined optimistic for the virus.
After arriving in Pakistan, he stayed in Swat for 4 days. He returned to Abbottabad and visited a bakery within the space that has been sealed by the police.
7:00 am: Store distributes free meals to the needy
A video circulating on social media reveals a site visitors police officer in Karachi inviting folks to a store to gather free meals packages.
The site visitors warden is seen saying on a megaphone for these in want to return to the store, “have free food and make a prayer”.
What a heartwarming sight in #Karachi…. ? #Corona
This store is distributing free meals to the needy. Policeman utilizing his loud speaker to the make bulletins.
By way of Massam Ali. #BeautifulPakistan #CoronavirusPandemic #CoronaAlert #COVID2019 pic.twitter.com/9Xs7eY7HMf— Danyal Gilani (@DanyalGilani) March 25, 2020
6:00 am: Second confirmed case of coronavirus in Hyderabad
A second case of coronavirus emerged in Hyderabad. The affected person not too long ago returned from the UK and was examined on March 24. He examined optimistic for the coronavirus.
