Punjab has reported zero new COVID-19 deaths for the first time since May 26, according to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. The province reported 172 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the province’s total number of confirmed infections to 92,073. The death toll in the province stands at 2,116.
10 more COVID-19 patients recuperated today, taking the number of recovered patients to 81,263 in the province. The province has conducted overall 699,636 virus tests so far.
According to a district-wise breakdown of fresh coronavirus cases, Lahore reported 57 cases, one case in Sheikhupura, 10 in Rawalpindi, Jhelum three, Attock 1, and 12 cases were reported in Gujranwala.
Six new COVID-19 cases were reported in Sialkot, one in Narowal, 9 in Bahawalpur, 10 in Multan, six in Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh one and six cases were reported in Rahim Yar Khan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the country reported 1,176 new novel coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide number of cases to 274,286.
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According to the latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 20 deaths were also reported due to virus in the last 24 hours. The nationwide COVID-19 deaths has jumped to 5,842.
The number of active cases of the COVID-19 in the country now stands at 27,421.
Markets to be closed in Punjab
The Punjab government has decided to keep the province’s markets closed from midnight tonight till August 5 to limit the spread of coronavirus during Eid holidays.
This decision was made in a meeting of the coronavirus Cabinet Committee chaired by Law Minister Raja Basharat at the Chief Minister’s House in which Mian Aslam Iqbal and other ministers participated.
Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan has said that there will be strict lockdown in the province’s markets till next Wednesday and the decision will be implemented from tonight. He said that Eid-ul-Fitr SOPs will also be implemented on Eid-ul-Adha as well.
The Minister said that SOP implementation in cattle markets will be ensured and the decision to reopen theaters, restaurants and other recreational areas will be discussed after Muharram.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan has reached 274,289 with the virus claiming 20 more lives, bringing the death toll to 5,842.
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Recently, the provincial government seal several areas to combat COVID-19 deaths. The areas included Chaman Bagh, Rajgarh, Ramnagar, Qilla Gujjar Singh, Abdul Kareem Road, Usmania Colony, Royal Park, Karim Park at Shafiqabad, Goal Bagh at Shadbagh, Bagumkot, Shama Colony near Shahdara, Ravi Clifton, Hanif Park, Malik Park, Johar Town (B, F2, J2 and G3 blocks), Canal View Society B Block, Wapda Town (F2, G blocks), PCSIR Phase II B Block, Gulberg (A3, B2, B1 blocks), Sirajpura Darogawala, A and B blocks of Bismillah Housing Scheme, Manawan, DHA Phase 1 (all sectors), Askari 10 (complete), DHA Phase-5 (all sectors), Cavalry Ground (Shiraz Villas), eight streets of Gulshan Colony, Quaid-i-Millat Colony in Kotlakhpat area, Ghosia Colony in North Cantt, F Block 400-440 of Gulshan-i-Ravi, backside of Lahore General Hospital, Alhamad Colony, Islampura, etc.
The current situation and available data, and as COVID-19 situation improves in Punjab, suggest that Pakistan has been able to combat the virus, and there is a hope that the country may defeat the deadly pandemic in the coming days if the SOPs are effectively implemented across Pakistan.