COVID-19 kills 37, infects 2,304 in 24 hours, says NCOC

ISLAMABAD: Another 2,304 new coronavirus cases and 37 more deaths have been reported during the past 24 hours in the country, said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday.
According to the NCOC, the tally of deaths reached 7,092 in Pakistan, whereas the number of active cases of COVID-19 reached up to 23,641 and the total count of infections stood at 352,296. 1,219 patients are in critical condition due to the virus.
A total of 36,923 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours and the country has so far carried out 4,847,105 tests. Meanwhile, 714 more patients recovered from the virus, whereas, the total number of recoveries stands at 321,563 patients.
In Punjab, Covid-19 has claimed more than seventeen lives and infected 601 people during the last 24 hours in Punjab. According to a spokesperson of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, 17 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus in 24 hours, surging the death toll to 2,455 in the province.
He maintained that the province reported 601 new cases of COVID-19, taking the overall tally of people infected with the pandemic to 108,822.
The highest number of cases were reported in Lahore, where 245 new infections emerged, while 102 in Rawalpindi, 47 in Multan, 23 in Bakhar, DG Khan 12, Khanewal 13 and 18 cases were registered in Faisalabad during the last 24 hours.
Out of 108,822 total number of COVID-19 patients, 97,692 have recovered their health in Punjab so far.
The Punjab government has imposed smart lockdown in various localities of Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi after a sharp increase in coronavirus cases.
In Lahore, smart lockdown has been imposed in New Muslim Town C Block, Iqbal Town Raza Block, Sikandar Block and Umar Block, Garden Town, Cavalry Ground, DHA Phase One A and Phase 6.
In Multan, areas including Naqshband Colony, Gulgasht Colony, Mepco Colony, Khawaja Abad, Multan Kutcheri and Saadat Colony have been put under smart lockdown.
Meanwhile, Fauji Foundation, University New Lalazar, Girls High School Kahuta are also under smart lockdown slapped by the Punjab government.
According to the spokesperson, all medical services, laboratories and pharmacies will remain open 24 hours in the province.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Friday urged masses to wear face masks amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the province. “The situation can go out of control if precautionary measures are neglected”, she said.
Dr Yasmin Rashid said that they had overcome the virus cases in Punjab province after hectic efforts and any lapse or negligence during implementation upon the SOPs could ruin all such measures.
The minister said that 600 areas of Punjab are under smart lockdown currently after a sharp increase in the COVID-19 cases. Patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 are being admitted to different hospitals of the province.
Meanwhile, a Saudi-Arabia-bound passenger was offloaded from the flight at Islamabad International airport after he was found COVID-19 positive.
As per details, a passenger named Shahzaib was denied boarding to Jeddah-bound international flight PA-210 from Islamabad airport after his COVID-19 test report was found positive during checking by the staff of the airlines. The airport sources said that the passenger was sent home for quarantine. – TLTP