Pakistan has overtaken Italy when it comes to the number of Covid-19 cases reported in the country, becoming the 11th worst-affected country by the pandemic, data from the John Hopkins University revealed yesterday.
According to the NCOC, the number of positive cases in the country jumped to 243,599 after 2,751 cases were reported. On the other hand, Italy’s positive cases stand at 242,363 as per data from the university’s resource centre.
Pakistan reported 75 deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the nation’s Covid-19 death toll past the 5,000 mark. According to the NCOC, currently, the total number of people who have succumbed to the virus stand at 5,058.
The rising death toll has also resulted in Pakistan overtaking China - the epicentre of the virus - in the number of deaths. Pakistan has also become the 18th worst-hit country by the coronavirus in terms of fatality.
The NCOC’s report shared that the total number of active Covid-19 cases in Pakistan stand at 89,449, with 149,092 people recovering so far.
The breakdown, as per the reports, stated that AJK currently has 1,485 cases, Balochistan 11,099 cases, Gilgit Baltistan reported 1,619, Islamabad 13,829 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 29,406 cases, Punjab 85,261 cases and Sindh is the worst affected province with 100,900 cases of the virus.
Meanwhile, Minister for Planning Asad Umar says people adopted standard operating procedures (SOPs) and precautionary measures due to which the number of coronavirus cases decreased to great extent.
Talking to private news channel, he said the government has taken solid steps and also instructed the masses to strictly follow SOPs to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The minister said all the stakeholders are effectively working and devising strategies to combat the pandemic.
He hoped that people would follow the SOPs set by the government in connection with Eid al-Adha to contain the spreading of outbreak.

15-day smart lockdown in 7 cities of Punjab

Seven cities of Punjab will undergo a 15-day smart lockdown that commenced yesterday and last till July 15.
The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P and SHD) has issued a notification under the Punjab Infectious Diseases Ordinance 2020 about enforcement of lockdown in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat and Rawalpindi, till July 24.
In Lahore, the lockdown will be enforced in A2 Block Township, EME Society, Main Bazaar Chungi Amr Sadhu, Punjab Government Servants Housing Scheme, Wapda Town, C-Block Jauhar Town and Green City.
“All markets, shopping malls, restaurants, offices (public and private) shall remain closed in these areas,” read the notification from the P and SHD about Lahore.
“There shall be a complete ban on movement of people to and from these areas by public and private transport except for limited movement of one person per vehicle to and from the exempted facilities.”
The notification added that there shall also be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place, public or private throughout these areas.
The basic necessities of life will remain available in smart lockdown areas. “The purpose of the smart lockdown is to minimise movement of people in hotspots of positive coronavirus cases,” said Mohamed Usman, secretary, P and SHD.