PM Imran speaks to media individuals in Islamabad. SCREENGRAB
KARACHI / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA / LAHORE: The novel coronavirus – which originated within the central China metropolis of Wuhan in the direction of the tip of December 2019 – has unfold to all continents excluding Antarctica. The COVID-19 respiratory sickness brought on by the mysterious contagion has up to now killed 1000’s of individuals and contaminated tens of 1000’s of 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 the USA, 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 constructive for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran – one of many worst-hit international locations.
After a quick pause following the primary case, COVID-19 instances witnessed a pointy surge as extra pilgrims coming back from Iran examined constructive.
The nationwide tally of COVID-19 sufferers has crossed 1,350 with 442 instances in Sindh, 490 in Punjab, 131 in Balochistan, 180 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 103 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 27 in Islamabad and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The virus has claimed 11 lives in Pakistan. Then again, 25 sufferers have totally recovered.
For the reason that state of affairs stays fluid, the stats are altering quick and we’re updating them accordingly.
Comply with The Specific Tribune’s dwell protection of the pandemic right here.
Lockdown
On March 23, the federal authorities green-lighted army in help of civil energy beneath Article 245 learn with Part 131(A) of CrPc throughout the nation. DG ISPR Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar briefed media on the rules of the lockdown in a information convention.
The choice got here a day after PM Imran Khan categorically dominated out lockdown owing to the financial state of affairs and urged residents to self-quarantine.
A lot of the nation was already beneath lockdown as a part of sweeping measures to forestall the unfold of the virus.
Sindh introduced a 15-day lockdown from March 23 with Punjab, G-B and AJK following swimsuit. Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had been beneath a partial lockdown with minimal motion whereas Part 144 was imposed in Islamabad.
Instructional establishments, purchasing malls, markets, eating places, and different personal enterprise remained closed whereas inter-provincial and inter-city transport was additionally suspended. Factories, banks and the monetary sector was directed to cut back work hours.
12:30am: Punjab CM confirms fifth casualty as provincial tally of COVID-19 instances soars to 490
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has confirmed the fifth casualty of novel coronavirus within the province, taking the nation’s loss of life toll to 11.
The chief minister, by his official Twitter deal with early on Saturday, additionally shared that complete variety of confirmed COVID-19 instances has risen to 490.
“With heavy heart, I am confirming that we have lost a 22 years old patient in Faisalabad. Total loss of lives is at 5 now. Currently we have 490 confirmed cases across Punjab. This is a global health emergency and everybody needs to act responsibly and help us save lives,” he wrote.
“Details: DGK quarantine 207 cases, Multan quarantine 46, Lahore 115, Gujrat 48, Gujranwala 9, Jhelum 19, Rawalpindi 14, Multan 3, Faisalabad 10, DGK 5, Mandibahuddin 3, Sargodha 2, Nankanasahib 2 & Mianwali 2 and Narowal, RYK, Attock, Bahawalnagar & Khushab have one case each,” he mentioned in one other tweet.
Particulars: DGK quarantine 207 instances, Multan quarantine 46, Lahore 115, Gujrat 48, Gujranwala 9, Jhelum 19, Rawalpindi 14, Multan 3, Faisalabad 10, DGK 5, Mandibahuddin 3, Sargodha 2, Nankanasahib 2 & Mianwali 2 and Narowal, RYK, Attock, Bahawalnagar & Khushab have one case every.
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) March 27, 2020
11:30pm: Police officer contracts coronavirus in Sindh
A 49-year-old police officer of Sindh Police has been examined constructive of novel coronavirus, bringing the provincial tally to 442 on Friday.
The affected person was taken to Indus Hospital a couple of days in the past with complains of fever and cough, the place his samples had been despatched for testing and outcomes got here constructive at the moment.
All his contacts, together with relations and colleagues are being monitored.
The Sindh inspector normal has directed authorities to take all doable measures to display screen out his contacts and guarantee all precautionary measures for the aim.
11:00pm: Fourth COVID-19 case surfaces in Hyderabad, elevating Sindh’s tally to 441
Fourth coronavirus constructive case has been confirmed in Hyderabad, elevating Sindh province’s tally to 441 on Friday.
The 19-year-old affected person had been visiting Noor Masjid situated in Wahdat Colony for tableegh after arriving from Raiwand every week in the past. He was admitted at Kohsar Authorities Hospital in Latifabad earlier than ultimately taken to Liaquat College Hospital after being examined constructive.
9:45pm: Balochistan reviews two new COVID-19 instances, elevating tally to 133
The Balochistan has confirmed two new coronavirus instances, elevating the provincial tally to 133 on Friday.
There are presently 1,635 suspected COVID-19 instances within the province, in response to the spokesperson of proincial well being directorate.
9:00pm: Punjab overtakes Sindh as coronavirus tally rises to 448 with 23 new instances
The Punjab authorities has confirmed 23 new COVID-19 instances, bringing the provincial tally to 448 and overtook Sindh that has reported 440 instances up to now.
In line with the spokesperson of major and secondary healthcare, there are 207 confirmed coronavirus sufferers amongst pilgrims at DG Khan quarantine centre, 46 in Multan and 105 in Lahore.
8:30pm: Two COVID-19 sufferers get better in Balochistan
Two of the entire 131 coronavirus sufferers have totally recovered and discharged from hospital, Balochistan authorities’s spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani mentioned on Friday.
Samples of the sufferers had been despatched for testing after symptomatic remedy, outcomes of which got here detrimental, he mentioned in a tweet. Each have left for his or her houses, he added.
الحمداللہ بلوچستان میں کرونا وائرس کے دو مریض مکمل صحتیابی کے بعد ہسپتال سے ڈسچاج۔
دونوں مریضوں کی صحتیابی کے بعد سیمپل لیبارٹری بھجوائے گئے جو منفی آگئے۔
دونوں مریض اپنے گھروں کو روانہ۔#CoronaFreePakistan— Liaquat Shahwani (@LiaquatShahwani) March 27, 2020
7:30pm: G-B’s coronavirus tally soars to 103 with 16 new instances
One other 16 individuals had been examined constructive in Gilgit-Baltistan because the area’s tally of coronavirus sufferers rose to 103 on Friday.
“With three patients recovered and Dr Usma Riaz’s death, the tally now stands as 103,” mentioned Adviser to CM on Data Shams Mir throughout a day by day briefing at Gilgit Press Membership on day 5 of the lockdown within the area.
The adviser mentioned outcomes of 300 assessments had been pending at NIH, Islamabad and different hospitals.
Mir additional mentioned the G-B would proceed to obtain edible objects and medication from remainder of the nation as agreed throughout a latest dialog between Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Legislation Minister Aurangzeb Khan, who was additionally current within the presser, mentioned the area would obtain one other 76 pilgrims from Taftan border, including that issues are being sorted out about how and the place they might be screened, examined and stayed in G-B.
About dozens of G-B college students stranded in Karachi following the coronavirus lockdown, the regulation minister mentioned they had been being introduced again by particular buses, including the entire quantity college students coming into G-B on Thursday was 630, who will probably be screened for coronavirus as per process.
“We hope they would cooperate with us.”
By Shabbir Mir in Gilgit
7:00pm: Air chief donates one month’s wage to coronavirus reduction fund
As an earnest gesture in the direction of a noble trigger, Pakistan Air Pressure (PAF) has determined to contribute to the coronavirus reduction fund.
Chief of the Air Workers Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan would donate his one month’s wage to the fund, which has been established by the federal government to struggle the pandemic, in response to a PAF assertion issued on Friday.
“Keeping the precarious situation of the country in view, it has been decided at the air staff level, that all rank and file of PAF would contribute in the fund. Besides the air chief, officers of the rank of air commodore and above would donate their three day salary; whereas, the officers of group captain and below ranks would donate two day salary for the national cause,” learn the assertion.
“Moreover, airmen and civilians would also chip in their one day salary in the Corona Relief Fund.”
6:30pm: Sindh CM orders closure of grocery outlets at 5pm from Saturday
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered decreasing working hours of grocery outlets and shops by three hours to stem the unfold of coronavirus within the province, which jumped to 440 on Friday.
Grocery outlets had been earlier allowed to function between 8am to 8pm amid ongoing lockdown.
Any further, outlets and shops promoting fundamental commodities and meals objects will probably be closed at 5pm.
He mentioned the native transmission of coronavirus instances has climbed to 10 per cent of the entire confirmed instances within the province. “This is a dangerous trend… we have to contain it from spreading any further by observing necessary precautionary measures and honouring the government’s decision of lockdown,” mentioned the chief minister.
“Therefore, I have decided to reduce the operating hours of all grocery shops and stores by three hours from Saturday,” he introduced.
Learn full story right here.
5:30pm: ‘Corona relief tiger team’ to be fashioned for meals distribution amid full lockdown: PM
Prime Minister Imran Khan, whereas talking to media individuals over his authorities’s measures to regulate the unfold of COVID-19 illness within the nation, introduced on Friday forming a ‘corona relief tiger team’ to distribute meals amongst deserving households throughout a doable full lockdown in days to come back.
PM Imran, who chaired a gathering of Nationwide Coordination Committee on coronavirus in Islamabad earlier within the day, mentioned that every one provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan have determined that the transportation of meals objects can be fully exempted from all restrictions in place throughout the nation proper now to stem the unfold of the virus.
“Secondly we have decided that factories that are associated with food items and essentials commodities will continue to function… and in this regard we are formulating a mechanism,” he added.
The prime minister mentioned {that a} youth workforce can be fashioned in case a whole lockdown is inevitable. “We will register them through the citizenship portal,” he added.
The “corona relief tiger team” will probably be fashioned to distribute meals through the full lockdown, mentioned the PM, including that the registration course of by the Pakistan Citizen Portal will start from March 31.
“From the very first day, I was afraid that our daily wagers, roadside vendours and downtrodden segment of the society would face immense difficulties if we right away imposed a complete lockdown,” mentioned the premier.
“Till now there is no coronavirus case linked to China in the country… 70 per cent of our cases are linked to Iran,” he mentioned. “We should however be prepared as we cannot predict that after two weeks the coronavirus cases would not spike,” he added.
He mentioned abroad Pakistanis may also be approached to submit donations in a State Financial institution of Pakistan account, which will probably be fashioned by the subsequent week to ease the stress on international trade reserves.
“During these testing times, I want our overseas Pakistanis to come forward and help their countrymen,” he remarked.
PM Imran additionally assured that there is no such thing as a meals and flour scarcity within the nation.
“Ghabrane ki zarorat nahi hai (there’s no must panic),” he reiterated.
The prime minister additionally requested the authorities involved to launch all these arrested for violating lockdown restrictions.
Stay Stream: Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan Media Speak in Islamabad (27.03.2020)#PrimeMinisterImranKhan #Pakistan #COVID19 #Coronavirus @ImranKhanPTI https://t.co/tOhAW1M9v1
— Prime Minister’s Workplace, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 27, 2020
This will probably be up to date…
5:00pm: Erdogan Belief joins Pakistan’s struggle towards COVID-19
A hospital Turkey gifted to Pakistan is helping the federal government in its battle towards coronavirus within the distant areas of Punjab.
The Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital Belief in Muzaffargarh district, some 380 kilometers (236 miles) from the provincial capital Lahore, has designated its newly-established 250-bed wing for suspected COVID-19 sufferers.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had inaugurated the ability in February this yr.
Learn extra right here.
3:45pm: Congregational prayers held in Karachi mosques regardless of ban
The Sindh authorities ‘s determination concerning a ban on congregational prayer couldn’t be carried out totally on Friday as individuals flocked to varied mosques in Karachi and different districts to attend the congregational prayers.
In a video, which went viral on social media, the station home officer (SHO) of Kharadar might be seen inside New Memon Masjid within the port metropolis’s Kharadar locality interesting to the individuals to return dwelling because the mosque is closed.
Individuals attend Friday prayer regardless of lockdown after Pakistan shut all markets, public locations and discouraged giant gatherings amid an outbreak of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), in Karachi. PHOTO: REUTERS
Learn full story right here.
3:20pm: 120 individuals arrested in Quetta
Round 120 individuals defying the lockdown within the province had been arrested by the Quetta administration.
Quetta administration retains 120 individuals on streets… pic.twitter.com/mFvx0u4jW6
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) March 27, 2020
3:15pm: Individuals defy congregation ban in Sindh
Sukkur Police takes into custody individuals defying the congregation ban in Sindh. PHOTO: SOCIAL MEDIA
03:00pm: 19 information instances reported in Sindh
A complete of 19 new instances of the novel coronavirus have been reported throughout Sindh taking the entire within the province to 440.
Eleven new instances of native transmission had been reported from Karachi whereas one other was reported from Hyderabad.
As many as seven instances have been reported amongst pilgrims from Iran in Larkana.
12:20pm: Punjab restricts congregational prayers
The Punjab authorities issued a notification limiting the variety of individuals in Friday congregations to 5, following related measures taken by Sindh and Balochistan.
The notification states that between three to 5 individuals, together with the prayer chief and muezzin, will probably be allowed to wish within the mosque, whereas all others ought to supply prayers at dwelling.
علماء کرام کی رائے و رہنمائی اور طبی ماہرین کی ہدایات کے مطابق پنجاب بھر کی تمام مساجد میں صرف Three سے 5 افراد (خطیب/امام/مؤذن/خدمت گار) نماز جمعہ و نماز پنجگانہ ادا کریں گے تاکہ اس موذی مرض سے بچا جا سکے#PunjabCoronavirusUpdate pic.twitter.com/frIRCdF2NX
— Authorities of Punjab (@GOPunjabPK) March 27, 2020
11:50am: President Alvi to supply Friday prayers at dwelling
President Arif Alvi will supply his Friday prayers at dwelling, repeating his apply from final week.
He added that his prayer will probably be for forgiveness and to “help us overcome this Corona pandemic”.
Like on the earlier Jumu’ah I’ll pray Zohar at dwelling. I observe a really thoughtful Prophet ﷺ who allowed individuals to wish of their houses to keep away from rain or chilly climate and even to keep away from a illness. My prayer is that ‘Could Allah forgive us and assist us overcome this Corona pandemic’.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) March 27, 2020
11:05: Two medical doctors take a look at constructive for COVID-19 at DG Khan quarantine centre
Two medical doctors performing duties on the DG Khan quarantine centre have examined constructive for COVID-19.
In line with the provincial well being division, the medical doctors have been shifted to isolation wards and are mentioned to be in steady situation.
9:50am: Mosques to stay open: Qadri
Minister for Spiritual Affairs and Interfaith Concord Dr Noorul Haq Qadri has mentioned that mosques will stay open throughout the nation however has suggested youngsters and other people above the age of 50 to be barred from providing day by day and Friday prayers in congregations.
Briefing the media following a gathering with President Dr Arif Alvi, the minister acknowledged mosques would stay open however the variety of individuals praying ought to be minimal as a precautionary measure to curb the unfold of the virus.
1:05am: Balochistan restricts congregational prayers
After Sindh and the federal authorities, Balochistan additionally restricted attendance of congregational prayers. A notification issued early Friday mentioned the federal government was exercising powers beneath Part (2) of The West Pakistan Epidemic Illness Act 1958 and determined that solely three or 5 individuals, designated for Masjid, will supply prayers in congregation and most of the people will supply their prayers at their respective houses.
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) March 26, 2020
12:08am: Punjab reviews thirds COVID-19 loss of life
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar introduced the province’s third loss of life on Friday.
“Sadly, we have lost 3 precious lives to coronavirus in Punjab so far,” he wrote. “Total number of cases tested positive are 408.”
Particulars: DGK quarantine has 207 instances, Multan Quarantine 19, Lahore 103, Gujrat 22, Gujranwala 8, Jhelum 19, Rawalpindi 14, Multan 3, Faisalabad 3, Mandibahuddin 3, Mianwali 2 and Narowal, RYK, Sargodha, Attock and Bahawalnagar have 1 case every. 2/2
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) March 26, 2020
