Pakistan reports highest single day coronavirus death toll since pandemic started, 201 COVID-19 related fatalities

Pakistan reports the highest single-day coronavirus death toll since the pandemic started, 201 COVID-19 related fatalities during the past 24 hours.

The country’s highest death toll from the virus to date was recorded on June 19, 2020, when 153 people passed due to the virus.

As per the statistics issued by National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 49,101 tests were conducted across the country out of which 5,292 reported positive.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 positivity rate has surged to 10.77%.

As being reported, an Interim plan for a two-week lockdown has been recommended by NCOC, to be imposed by 2 May. 

In a letter written to the government, NCOC has highlighted major cities with the highest COVID-19 positivity rate to put under lockdown including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Swat, Hyderabad, Mardan, Nowshera, Malakand, and Charsadda.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday while presiding over the meeting of the Federal Cabinet, expressed concern over increasing cases of coronavirus across the country.

The premier has urged the general masses to take precautionary measures to avoid contracting coronavirus.

The PM has also directed the concerned authorities to ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, the NCOC Chief  Asad Umar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan have warned of the possibility of a lockdown in different cities of Pakistan if the coronavirus situation worsens.

The SAPM said the NCOC reviews the coronavirus situation daily and receives an update on the situation of the health system in various cities.

He added that the healthcare system’s capacity was increasing daily.