Islamabad: In the past 24 hours, 903 new cases of coronavirus and 27 deaths have been reported in Pakistan, bringing hope that the country is on track to flatten the curve.
According to the figures shared by the National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday, these promising results came despite more than 20,507 tests conducted countrywide making a total number of tests 1,973,237.
The numbers of active cases too have fallen from 26,924 on Tuesday to 25,000, the NCOC report says.
With these latest additions, Pakistan’s total count of coronavirus cases stands at 278,305 and deaths 5,951. According to the NCOC, 1,771 patients are currently admitted due to coronavirus in various hospitals of the country. The number of those in critical condition is 210.
Substantial progress in one month
Minister for Planning & Special Initiative Asad Umar in a tweet reported substantial progress against COVID-19 in the past month. “Have been emphasizing to the provinces that ground teams doing contact-tracing have to be increased. Substantial progress in last one month. From 3 contacts per index we have now increased to more than 7 contacts traced for each index person,” said Asad Umar in his tweet.
Islamabad’s shrines, graveyards closed
In order to check virus outbreak and to restrict people’s movement and ensure social distancing, the capital administration has made all the shrines and graveyards out of bounds except for burial during Eid Al Adha.
Besides, all parks, picnic places like Lake View Park, F-9 Park, Margalla Hills, Rose & Jasmine Garden, Daman-i-Koh and hill stations will remain closed.
The federal capital is crowded with families on Eid holidays and youngsters as well as tourists from other cities come to visit its various iconic tourist places like Faisal Masjid, Lok Virsa, Islamabad Monument and Shakarparian. However, according to the district administration, these points will remain closed and steps have been taken to avoid gathering of people at these places during the holidays which may result in further spread of virus.
A notification issued from the office of the deputy commissioner Islamabad states: “All shrines, graveyards (except burial/funeral ceremonies), parks/picnic places (Lake View Park, F-9 Park, Jasmine Garden, Daman-i-Koh etc) and hill stations shall remain closed during the Eid holidays.”
Punjab’s 19 districts without single coronavirus case
The Punjab government has reported for the first time 19 of its districts without a new coronavirus case during the last 24 hours. However, overall the province reported 218 coronavirus cases and three deaths. The provincial tally has risen to 92,873 while the death toll is 2,140.
