The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 7,481 on 18 April after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 7,481
• Sindh: 2,217
• Punjab: 3,410
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,077
• Balochistan: 351
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 163
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 250
• AJK: 48
Deaths: 143
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 50
• Sindh: 47
• Balochistan: 5
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 37
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 1
Officials have recorded more than 2.18 million cases and more than 150,000 deaths since the virus emerged in China in December.
One million registered with Corona Relief Tiger Force
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar has said one million youth have so far registered with the Corona Relief Tiger Force.
Addressing a news conference on Friday, the SAPM said this force comprises of teachers, health workers, engineers, lawyers, doctors and people belonging to other segments of the society.
Federal cabinet approves ordinance for construction industry
The federal cabinet has approved the ordinance for the construction industry which will provide tax breaks to builders and land developers.
According to the ordinance, the source of income will not be asked from the construction industry.
National testing capacity increased by 13-fold
Federal Minister Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar stated that the national testing capacity of the country has seen a 13-fold increase in one month, adding that this was producing results as well.
National effort to increase covid testing capacity is producing results. Total tests conducted on march 15 were 472. 11th of april this increased to 2457. On 16th of april 5,540 tests and yesterday 6,264 tests. This is a 13 fold increase in 1 month. Need to continue scaling up!
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 17, 2020
“Total tests conducted on March 15 were 472. (On) April 11 this increased to 2,457. On April 15 5,540 tests and yesterday 6,264 tests were conducted,” tweeted the minister. He also urged for the need to scale up the country’s testing capacity.
Additional medical equipment given to Peshawar administration: PDMA
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Management Authority has announced that it has given additional safety equipment for the coronavirus to the district administration in Peshawar.
کوروناوائرس سے نمٹنے کے لیے ضلعی انتظامیہ پشاورکومز یدحفاظتی کٹس مہیاکردی گئی
— PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@pdmakpk) April 17, 2020
حفاظتی سامان میں دس ہزار فیس ماسک، 1300بوتل سنیٹائزر،بارہ سوپرسنل حفاظتی کٹس،100حفاظتی عینکیں شامل۔
32 نیبلائزر،200بایوڈسپوزایبل بیگز ،500بوتل سرفیس کلینر ،12بڑی بوتل جراثیم کُش سپرے شامل pic.twitter.com/mYDlQt8knz
“The material includes 10,000 face masks, 1,300 bottles of hand sanitizers, 1,200 personal protective kits, 100 eye goggles, 32 nebulizers, 200 bio dispensible bags, 500 bottles of face cleaners, 12 disinfection sprays,” tweeted the authority.
