Pakistan’s tally jumps to 384 as Punjab reports 45 new coronavirus cases

Pakistan’s tally jumps to 384 as Punjab reports 45 new coronavirus cases

Lahore/Karachi (Staff Report/Agencies): The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped to 384 on Thursday after new coronavirus cases were reported in Sindh, Punjab,  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. 

Meanwhile, Two COVID-19 patients' deaths were reported in the country. Both the deaths were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

"With deep regret I confirm the death of first Pakistani due to #coronavirus," said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza while confirming the first death of virus.

In a bid to prevent the spread of virus in the country, Pakistan on Thursday also announced to close Wagah Border for 2 weeks.

On Thursday evening, the nationwide number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 384.

The province-wide number of cases included 217 from Sindh, 78 from Punjab, 23 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 45 from Balochistan, 7 from Islamabad Capital Territory, 13 from Gilgit-Baltistan and 1 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Globally, 176 countries have been affected, more than 9,000 people have died and more than 220,000 infected by the disease as it spreads rapidly to new territories.

The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases every day.

Meanwhile, China has marked a major milestone in its battle against the coronavirus pandemic as it recorded zero domestic infections for the first time since the outbreak emerged, but a spike in imported cases threatened its progress.

The stark reversal comes as nations across the world have shut down in a desperate effort to contain the pandemic, with more people now infected and having died abroad than in China.

There were no new cases in Wuhan -- the central city where the virus first emerged in December -- for the first time since authorities started publishing figures in January, according to the National Health Commission.