Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) member of Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman and lawmaker from KPIqbal Wazirtested positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday as the nationwide tally of coronavirus patients jumped to 123,539, with 45,463 cases reported in Punjab, 46,828 in Sindh, 15,787 in KhyberPakhtunkhwa, 7,673 in Balochistan, 1,018 in GilgitBaltistan, 6,236 in Islamabad and 534 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir so far. The virus has claimed at least 2,410 lives while around 38,547 coronavirus patients have recovered as yet.
According to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, Sharif, 68, has isolated himself at home.
After testing positive for the coronavirus, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the public to be ‘extraordinarily careful’.In a series of tweets, he said, “I am deeply touched by your messages and grateful to all those who conveyed their best wishes to me. After feeling a bit unwell couple of days ago, I decided to go for the Covid-19 test. Unfortunately, it turned out to be positive.”
He said that he had been ‘extremely careful’ and followed the advice given to him by medical professionals. “Except for a couple of unavoidable outings recently like appearance before NAB, I have been home and conducted most of the meetings online.”
Meanwhile, army chief Gen QamarJavedBajwa called PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif to inquire after his health.The army chief prayed for Sharif’s recovery and offered facilitation in his treatment.
Balochistan on Thursday reported 338 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 7,673.According to the health department’s spokesperson, two more patients have succumbed to the contagious disease, taking the death toll to 75 in the province.At least 2,673 patients have also recovered from the pandemic in the province so far.
KhyberPakhtunkhwa reported 581 new Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 15,787.According to the provincial health department, 13 more lives were lost – three in Peshawar, two in Khyber, two in Mardan, one each in Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Abbottabad, Karak, DI Khan – taking the death toll to 632.It further said that 3,907 patients have recovered from the deadly disease in the province.
Provincial Minister for Health TaimurSaleemJhagra said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has achieved the capacity to conduct 3,000 corona tests daily.In a message on Twitter, he said people could call on 1,700 for free corona test. Rapid Response Team of Health Department would visit their homes to collect specimen.He urged people to adopt precautionary measures and follow approved standard operating procedure to contain the virus from spreading.
Meanwhile, a report prepared by Emergency Operation Centre, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination said that the virus had infected 3,328 healthcare providers in the country and 1,037 of them belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At least 46 more people have contracted the novel coronavirus in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 534.The virus has claimed one more life in the region, according to health authorities.As many as 18 patients have also recovered, bringing the total recoveries in the region to 237.
Sindh set of a new record after it recorded 3,038 cases – the highest single-day cases reported by the province.The provincial tally now stands at 46,828.With 38 deaths being reported in the past 24 hours the death toll in the province reached 776. At least 636 people are said to be critical while 79 are said to be on ventilator.
