COVID-19: Pakistan death toll hits 9250

The novel coronavirus has claimed 87 more lives in Pakistan bringing the national death tally to 9,250.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 3,179 new infections were reported during the last 24 hours. The current national caseload now stands at 451,494.

As many as 4,649 patients have recovered from the virus during the last 24 hours and 2,486 patients are in critical condition, however, no critical case was added in today’s tally.

The total count of active cases is 40,922 and the positivity rate is recorded up to 6.61 percent.

A total of 48,075 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Overall 404,501 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far while 6,264,135 samples have been tested thus far.

Asad Umar tested positive

On Friday Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Just got my covid test result and it is positive. Will be isolating at home,” Umar tweeted.

Several politicians, including Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, and PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have tested positive for the virus since the first case emerged in the country in February.

Media Role Lauded

Earlier Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Dr. Faisal Sultan said the role of media is important in creating public awareness about COVID-19.

Addressing the participants of an online workshop for journalists on ‘COVID-19, he lauded the role of civil society and media for keeping the public informed about the coronavirus.

He apprised the participants of the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the measures taken by the government to curb the second wave of the pandemic.