Coronavirus updates, April 8: Latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic from Pakistan and around the world
Nationwide tally of confirmed cases crosses 4,200, global coronavirus deaths surge past 81,000
Updated Wednesday Apr 08 2020
KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 4,206 on Wednesday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 1:00am, April 9, is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 4,265
• Sindh: 1,036
• Punjab: 2,166
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 527
• Balochistan: 212
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 83
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 213
• AJK: 28
Deaths: 61
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 18
• Sindh: 20
• Balochistan: 2
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 17
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 1
The worldwide number of officially confirmed fatalities from the novel coronavirus now stands at above 81,000, according to a Reuters tally.
More than 1 million declared cases have been registered in 213 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. Of these cases, at least 253,000 are now considered recovered.
Read on for the latest updates from Pakistan and around the world.
Disclaimer: There may be some discrepancy in the number of confirmed cases reported at the country level due to differences in figures quoted by federal and provincial authorities.
Geo News is constantly gathering fresh information from concerned authorities and striving to keep our readers up to date with the most accurate information available.
Orange: All general updates coming in from Pakistan
Red: All reports on new cases in Pakistan
Maroon: All reports on new deaths in Pakistan
END OF LIVE UPDATES FOR APRIL 8
Live updates for April 9 will start here.
1:00am (April 9) — Punjab tally shoots up by 58 to 2,166
11:24pm — Paris, France — Europe coronavirus death toll tops 60,000: AFP tally
The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 60,000 people in Europe alone as of 1615 GMT Wednesday, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.
That figure accounts for more than 70% of the deaths so far officially recorded worldwide.
11:12pm — Paris, France — 541 more coronavirus deaths in hospital
France has reported 541 more deaths from COVID-19 in hospital over the last 24 hours, bringing its total official toll from the coronavirus epidemic to 10,869.
Top health official Jerome Salomon told reporters that there were now 7,148 people in intensive care, a net increase of 17 from the day earlier, the lowest increase recorded in recent weeks.
He said that due to a technical fault there was no daily data available Wednesday from nursing homes, meaning that the overall death toll is likely incomplete.
10:30pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan CM shares how much health equipment has been distributed to date
WHO Pakistan shares recommended tips for caregivers and patients
09:25pm — Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan — One more case takes tally to 213
09:15pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan says with two more cases, local transmissions up to 71
08:50pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Interior Ministry extends foreigners' visas till April 30
The Ministry of Interior has announced it is extending all types of visas for foreign nationals staying in Pakistan till April 30 to facilitate them in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, APP reported.
“The competent authority has been pleased to approve that validity of all types of visas issued to foreign nationals who are currently in Pakistan, that have expired since March 15, 2020 and are due to expire by April, 30 shall be deemed to be valid till April, 30”, a notification issued by the interior ministry said.
The decision has been taken in the best interest of the foreign nationals and information in this regard will also be available at NADRA website, according to APP.
8:28pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Two more cases reported in Balochistan
Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani confirmed two more COVID-19 cases in the province, bumping the tally of total infected to 212.
He said 76 people have recovered so far.
8:22pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — 'We remain in solidarity with our Afghan brethren at this time'
The Foreign Office has said that the movement of cargo will continue "as per mutually agreed protocols" from Chaman and Torkham into Afghanistan, thrice a week.
"We remain in solidarity with our Afghan brethren at this time of global pandemic," said an FO statement.
07:59pm — Sindh, Pakistan — PPP leaders share awareness messages in regional languages
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said he "is not sure what the government is doing" about awareness regarding COVID-19 but he has asked party members from across the country to record messages in their mother tongue.
He has shared messages for viewers in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
07:53pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh health dept releases latest figures
07:37pm — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP health dept orders opening of hospital OPDs
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has ordered the reopening of hospital out-patient departments (OPD) in the province.
A notification said that all hospitals will take necessary precautions while welcoming and evaluating patients. They will be screened and then referred to relevant doctors, it said.
OPD operations had lay suspended since the past 15 days.
07:25pm — Geneva, Switzerland — Pandemic could cause deepest economic recession 'of our lifetimes': WTO chief
The COVID-19 pandemic could provoke the deepest recession in living memory, World Trade Organisation chief Roberto Azevedo has warned.
"As we face what may well be the deepest economic recession or downturn of our lifetimes, we should aim to make the most of all potential drivers of sustainable growth to reverse this situation," he told a virtual news conference in Geneva.
07:13pm — Dubai, UAE — Dubai suspends marriage and divorce during virus lockdown
Coronavirus lockdowns may make or break relationships, but in Dubai marriages and divorces have been suspended “until further notice” to avoid gatherings that could spread the disease.
Dubai´s justice department said Wednesday that the decision was among the “measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic” rolled out in the emirate which is under a strict lockdown.
Justice Khaled al-Hawsni of the family court also said on the department´s website that couples who have already completed marriage formalities must not organise wedding parties “even among their immediate circles”.
The United Arab Emirates has recorded more than 2,000 cases of the coronavirus, and 12 deaths.
All citizens and residents other than those in essential services require a permit to leave their homes.
07:06pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Four customs officials in quarantine
Customs Collector Wasif Memon has said that four custom officials are under quarantine after one was infected, adding that the infected official in question is in stable condition.
Memon said that only limited staff are allowed to go to the ninth floor of the Customs House as a precautionary measure.
He said that the Customs House will be completely fumigated and another branch will be opened to avoid undue load.
"There will be a complete ban on entry of people without any face masks or those visiting without a cause," he added.
06:44pm — Sindh, Pakistan — Bilawal asks people to 'pray at home please'
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a video message, has asked all Pakistanis to pray at home on the occasion of shab-e-baraat.
"If you pray at home, you will be protecting the lives of fellow Pakistanis and will be safeguarding the health of all of us. So please stay at home and pray," he pleaded.
6:07pm - Saudi Arabia reports 137 new cases, kingdom’s tally rises to 2,260
5:56pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Govt to extend visa of foreign nationals till April 30
The interior ministry has decided to extend the visa of all foreign nationals in the country till April 30 to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the notification, the decision has been taken in the interest of the people, adding that the details regarding the decision can be accessed on NADRA’s website.
5:50pm - Thousands of masks being manufactured at POF: Fawad
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry stated that thousands of masks are being manufactured at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory on a daily basis.
The minister also assured everyone that all precautionary measures were being followed in the factory.
5:44pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh government restricts religious festivals across province
5:37pm - Amsterdam, Netherlands — Dutch coronavirus cases rise by 969 to 20,549, 147 new deaths
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 969 to 20,549 as of Wednesday, health authorities said, with 147 new deaths.
The country’s total death toll from the disease is now 2,248, the Netherlands’ National Institute for Health (RIVM) said in a daily update.
5:06pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Cash distribution under Ehsaas programme to start from tomorrow: PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that from Thursday the government will start distributing cash through the Ehsaas programme.
“17,000 points have been identified for cash distribution,” PM Imran told the media in Islamabad. He added that the people identified under the progrmame will be able to get cash from the designated points.
PM Imran also assured everyone that the system formed for the programme cannot be manipulated as it is an automated system. He added that Rs12 million will be distributed under the programme and will cover people for three months.
“Whatever difficulties people will face will be resolved by our teams that will be monitoring the system,” assured the PM. He also added that the Corona Relief Tiger Force will tell the government about the people they may have missed.
“Tiger force’s aim is to ensure in every district and union council and see what is the position on the ground and give us feedback,” said PM Imran. He added that the members of the tiger force will also provide food to the locals of an area if they locality has to be quarantined by the government.
“Lockdown will only work only when people will get food at their homes,” said PM Imran.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Usman Dar during the press conference announced that 750,000 youth have so far registered for the force. He added that 500,000 members have been registered from Punjab only.
Read more here.
4:54pm - Lahore, Punjab — Nationwide death toll rises to 61
Death toll due to the coronavirus in the country rose to 61 after one new death was reported in Punjab, confirmed the spokesperson for the Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Health Care Department.
4:47pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Police patroling increased due to Shab-e-Barat
Karachi police chief announced that police patrols have been increased due to Shab-e-Barat being observed in Karachi like other parts of Pakistan.
The port city’s top cop reiterated that like everyday complete lockdown will be observed after 5pm. He urged the citizens to pray at home. He also urged people not to gather in the mosques due to Shab-e-Barat.
4:35- Islamabad, Pakistan — Chinese companies donates Rs 5 million in PM's corona relief fund
Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Information announced on Wednesday that China Machinery Engineering Coporation and ZOnergy Company limited of China handed over relief goods worth Rs 3 million and 5 million for the corona relief fund to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
4:25pm — Prague, Czech Republic — Coronavirus cases top 5,000
The number of cases of the new coronavirus in the Czech Republic rose to 5,000 on Wednesday after 195 new cases were detected bringing the total to 5,017.
The Czech Republic was one of the swiftest countries in Europe to take action against the virus's spread in March when cases start appearing throughout the continent.
Like others in central Europe, the Czech Republic has seen far fewer cases of the new virus than western neighbours, along with fewer deaths.
The ministry reported 91 coronavirus-related deaths as of Wednesday morning and 181 recovered patients.
4:15pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh info minister appeals to govt not to charge for Ehsaas programme texts
Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has appealed to the federal government to waive the charges on text messages being sent for Ehsaas programme eligibility.
“The federal government should bear the expenses of the text message charges,” Shah said. “Sending messages for the Ehsaas programme should be made free.”
This will benefit the needy more, he added.
3:55pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Protective kits dispatched to Quetta on Shehbaz Sharif’s orders
PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said protective kits have been dispatched to doctors in Quetta on the directives of PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif.
“The medical staff are our heroes and we will help them,” he said.
3:45pm - Geneva, Switzerland — WHO denies being ‘China-centric’ after Trump comment
World Health Organisation officials on Wednesday denied that the body was "China-centric" and said that the acute phase of a pandemic was not the time to cut funding after US President Donald Trump said he would put contributions on hold.
The US is the top donor to the Geneva-based body which Trump said had issued bad advice during the new coronavirus outbreak.
"We are still in the acute phase of a pandemic so now is not the time to cut back on funding," Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said.
3:30pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Senate chairman writes to US VP Mike Pence
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in a letter to US VP Mike Pence on Wednesday expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate chairman also wrote letters to the prime ministers of Belgium, Holland and France along with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Earlier, the chairman had written to the prime ministers of Spain and Italy.
3:21pm - Iran, Tehran — Death toll hits 3,993
Iran's new coronavirus death toll has climbed to 3,993 with 121 more deaths in the past 24 hours, a Health Ministry spokesman told state TV on Wednesday, adding that the total number of infections in the country has risen to 67,286.
"We had 1,997 new infected cases in the past 24 hours .... there are 3,956 infected people in critical conditions," spokesman Kianush Jahanpur added
3:18pm - Minsk, Belarus — Coronavirus cases pass 1,000, no new deaths
The number of coronavirus cases in Belarus topped 1,000 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, reporting 205 new infections, a record daily rise.
The total number of cases rose to 1,066, but there was no change in the number of deaths, which remained at 13. Belarus is seeing average daily growth in cases of around 20-25%, according to Reuters calculations.
Belarus has not closed its borders, introduced quarantine measures or asked people to follow social distancing guidelines.
3:17pm - Madrid, Spain — Coronavirus deaths rises by 757 to over 14,500
The number of daily coronavirus deaths rose in Spain for the second day on Wednesday as 757 people died over the past 24 hours, though the pace of the proportional daily increase in the death toll slowed down slightly, the health ministry said.
The number of total fatalities caused by the new coronavirus in Spain rose to 14,555 on Wednesday, the ministry said. The daily increase as a percentage of the total death toll was 5.5%, down from 5.7% the day before, when 743 people died.
The overall detected cases in the country rose to 146,690 from 140,510 on Tuesday, it added.
3:12pm - Gilgit, Pakistan — GB extends lockdown till April 21
The Gilgit Baltistan government extended to the lockdown measures to April 21, said a tweet issued by the information department of the province.
3:09pm - AKU launches app that allows users to check coronavirus symptoms at home
2:54pm - Peshawar, Pakistan — KP government opens OPDs on orders of SC
2:43pm - Peshawar, Pakistan — 272 quarantine centres set up in KP Ajmal Wazir
Adviser to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ajmal Wazir announced that the government has set up 272 quarantine centres across the province. He added that the isolation centres in the province are 1190 and have the capacity to keep 2,770 people.
2:23pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab has carried out 29,158 tests: Dr Yasmin Rashid
2:20pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Pakistan Railways shuts down engine sheds, workshops after three employees test positive
The Pakistan Railways on Wednesday shut down its engine sheds and halted operations in its workshops across the country after three of its staff members were tested positive for coronavirus.
According to the Railways divisional superintendent, the move was taken to ensure safety of its employees, who were immediately sent home for 14 days self-isolation.
As a preventive measure, Pakistan Railways has shut all passenger trains across the country, however, only freight and cargo trains are permitted to operate.
2:17pm - Quetta, Pakistan — Pakistan's confirmed cases at 4,204
Countrywide tally of confirmed cases rose to 4,204 after new cases were reported in Balochistan.
According to the provincial government spokesperson, four people were tested positive today and all of the cases were of local transmission.
The spokesperson also announced that one person has recovered from the virus taking the provincial tally of recovered cases to 76.
2:03pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Pilgrims stranded in Baghdad reach Islamabad: FO
2:01pm - Moscow, Russia — Russia reports record daily rise in new cases, infections up to 8,672
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia rose by more than 1,000 for the second day running, taking the total to 8,672, the crisis response centre said on Wednesday.
The number of reported cases rose by 1,175, a record daily rise, while deaths increased by five to 63, the centre said.
1:56pm - Manila, Philippines — Country reports five new deaths, 106 more coronavirus cases
The Philippines’ health ministry said on Wednesday the coronavirus outbreak has killed five more people, with 106 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have risen to 182 while infections have increased to 3,870. Twelve patients recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total to 96, it added.
1:52pm - Lahore, Pakistan – Countrywide tally rises to 4,200
Punjab on Wednesday reported 78 new cases of the virus to take the provincial tally to 2,108.
This takes the number of confirmed cases in the country to 4,200.
The provincial government also reported that 9 more people have recovered from the virus. Taking the provincial tally to 34.
1:47pm - Quetta, Pakistan – PPEs given to hospitals: Balochistan govt
The government of Balochistan on Wednesday announced it has provided personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals, a day after they reached an agreement with the protesting health professionals in the province.
“We have provided 5,000 semi PPEs, 43,000 face masks, 7,500 VTM kits to the hospitals,” a notification said.
It added, 300,000 surgical masks and 10,000 sanitizers have also been provided to the hospitals.
1:40pm — Mumbai, India — Financial hub set to extend lockdown
India's financial hub Mumbai is set to extend lockdown measures until at least April 30 in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus cases in the city.
A 21-day nationwide lockdown that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in late March to fight the epidemic is officially set to end on April 14.
Mumbai, with a population of more than 20 million, has become India's coronavirus epicentre. The metropolis and its suburbs have reported 782 positive cases and 50 deaths.
1:30pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — FM Qureshi phones Malaysian counterpart
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday spoke to his Malaysian counter-part Hishammuddin Hussein and discussed measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views regarding the spread of coronavirus pandemic and the efforts being taken to contain it.
Qureshi informed his Malaysian counterpart about Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for restructuring of loans of developing countries to enable them to effectively deal with the pandemic.
Welcoming the PM Imran’s call restructuring of loans, the Malaysian foreign minister said that he would raise the matter with G-20 countries.
1:15pm - Pakistan expats in Japan donate Rs40 million in medical aid
Pakistani expatriates in Japan handed over medical aid worth close to Rs40 million to the Pakistani envoy in Tokyo.
The aid given by Pakistani businessmen includes 17 ventilators, ultrasound machines, ECG machines and other medical equipment.
1:08pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of deaths rises to 60
Nationwide tally of confirmed deaths due to the novel coronavirus rose to 60 after two new deaths were reported in Sindh.
Provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said that the provincial tally of deaths now stands at 20.
1:06pm - Karachi, Sindh — Nationwide tally rises to 4,122, Sindh tally crosses 1,000
The nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 4,122 after 50 new cases were reported in Sindh.
According to provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, the provincial tally not stands at 1,036 and the number of recovered patients now stands at 280.
1:00pm - Lahore, Pakistan — President Alvi visits coronavirus management cell
President Arif Alvi visited Punjab’s coronavirus management cell set up by the provincial government in Lahore.
The president was accompanied by CM Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and other provincial ministers.
12:55pm - Karchi, Pakistan — 'Coronavirus won't end till public practices social distancing'
A team of Chinese medical experts told Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah that the coronavirus won’t end till the public practice social distancing.
The nine-member Chinese delegation of medical experts met CM Murad in Karachi on Wednesday. In the meeting, the CM congratulated China on defeating the virus. He also asked for their advice in the fight against coronavirus.
The team assured the CM that they will try to help the provincial government in any way possible. They advised the Sindh government to ensure that social distancing is also practised during ration distribution.
12:43pm - Dubai, UAE — Gulf states urged to unblock internet calls in response to pandemic
Human rights groups urged three Gulf Arab states on Wednesday to lift bans on free internet calls to help their large migrant workforces stay in touch during the coronavirus pandemic.
Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have long blocked many voice and video calling apps on the grounds of protecting the commercial interests of state-owned telecoms utilities.
"This has caused serious problems for the people living in those countries, especially the majority of migrant workers and foreign national residents who need to connect and communicate with their families and communities overseas," the rights groups said.
A majority of the estimated 17 million people living in the three Gulf states are expatriates, most of them low-paid workers from Asia.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE and Oman have relaxed restrictions on some calling apps but on a temporary basis.
They have unblocked apps that allow for distance learning such as Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Google Hangouts, and Zoom. Microsoft Teams and Zoom are also available in Qatar.
12:36pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Coronavirus daily situation meeting underway at NOCC
Federal Minister Asad Umar chaired a meeting at the National Command and Operation Centre (NOCC) to analyse the daily situation regarding coronavirus in the country.
The meetinn was focused on ‘digital training and mechanisms’ to highlight the most coronavirus affected areas. The forum also agreed to expand the testing capacity from 6,000 to 12,000 .
12:17am - Tehran, Iran — Rouhani urges IMF to give Tehran its requested loan
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani urged the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday to give the country its requested $5 billion emergency funding to help Tehran fight the coronavirus outbreak.
“I urge international organisations to fulfill their duties...we are a member of the IMF...There should be no discrimination in giving loans,” Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting.
Rouhani also criticised US sanctions on Iran as “economic and medical terrorism”.
12:10pm - Pakistani students in Wuhan celebrate end of lockdown
11:57am - Teleconference held between Chinese and Pakistani military medical experts
11:55am - Islamabad, Pakistan — SC to be briefed on coronavirus situation
Officials from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza will brief the Supreme Court about coronavirus victims and distribution of funds and rations today.
Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and other SC judges would attend the briefing.
11:48am - Peshawar, Pakistan – PDMA sends 100,000 masks to health department
The PDMA on Wednesday said they have issued more than 100,000 face masks to the health department and the provincial departments.
“We have also provided the provincial department with protective gear, hygiene kits, surgical caps and spray machines,” the department said.
11:41am - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab governor briefs President Alvi on relief efforts in province
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar briefed President Arif Alvi on the relief efforts being undertaken in the province. He informed the president that the government was making arrangement to help those affected by the virus.
11:34am - Peshawar, Pakistan — KP government advertises jobs for health professionals
11:32am - Karachi, Pakistan – Metropolis enters 17th day of lockdown
Main roads in the city were closed off as Karachi entered its 17th day of lockdown on Wednesday.
Police have closed road leading up from airport to Drigh Road, while the road leading up to Baloch Colony has also been closed off for traffic.
Road near old Sabzi Mandi has also been closed off for traffic, authorities said, adding that the Liaqauatabad flyover has also been closed for traffic.
11:29am - Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand reports 111 new coronavirus cases, 3 more deaths
Thailand on Wednesday reported 111 new coronavirus cases and 3 more deaths.
The dead included a 48-year-old Russian, a 69-year-old Indian and a 69-year-old US national, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration said.
Since the pandemic escalated in January, Thailand has reported a total of 2,369 cases and 30 fatalities, while 888 patients have recovered and gone home.
11:24am - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab govt issues advisory for Shab-e-Barat
Punjab’s Auqaf and Religious Affairs department issued a corona advisory ahead of the Shab-e-Barat on the advice of health experts and religious scholars. The department has also urged people to pray at home.
11:13am - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab Minister donates Rs1 million in CM’s corona fund
Provincial minister Raja Rashid Hafeez in a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar donated Rs1 million in the CM’s fund for corona.
11:08am - Pakistani embassy officials announce lifting of lockdown in Wuhan
11:06am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Tiger force to be mobilised in few days: SAPM Dar
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Usman Dar assured SAPM Dr Sania Nishtar that the tiger force will be mobilized in each district in a few days.
“In this hour of need, the government will reach out the needy,” Dar to Dr Nishtar. He added that the youth involved in the force will identify the needy and unemployed labour in their communities.
11:02am - UNHCR honours Afghan refugee doctor working in Pakistan
10:53am - Twitter founder to donate $1 billion in fight against coronavirus
10:47am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Coronavirus deaths rises to 58
The nationwide tally of deaths from the coronavirus rose to 58 after two more deaths were reported on Wednesday.
According to the national dashboard, the two deaths were reported in Punjab and Balochistan.
10:33am - Berlin, Germany — Confirmed cases rise to 103,228, deaths to 1,861
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Germany rose by 4,003 in the past 24 hours to 103,228 on Wednesday, climbing for the second straight day after four previous days of drops, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed.
The reported death toll rose by 254 to 1,861.
10:30am — Peshawar, Pakistan — Virus crisis test of character for society: KP minister Jhagra
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Jhagra on Wednesday said the coronavirus crisis is a test of character for the society in Pakistan.
Commenting on a report that a doctor in KP, who had complained of a lack of protective equipment while treating virus patients earlier, had tested positive for the virus, Jhagra said that he had inquired about the health of the doctor.
"Regardless of how difficult it may be, this [coronavirus crisis] is now a test of character and resolve for us individually and as a society. CM MahmoodKhan highlighted this case, and I called up and talked to the doctor to ask about his health," he wrote on Twitter.
9:47am — The coronavirus in numbers
9:45am — San Francisco, United States — Tesla to furlough workers, cut employee salaries due to coronavirus
Tesla told employees on Tuesday it would furlough all non-essential workers and implement salary cuts during a shut down of its US production facilities because of the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reports.
Tesla said it planned to resume normal operations on May 4, barring any significant changes, according to an email sent to US employees by in-house counsel Valerie Capers Workman, which was viewed by Reuters.
The company, which suspended production at its San Francisco Bay Area vehicle and New York solar roof tile factories on March 24, said in the email the decisions were part of a broader effort to manage costs and achieve long-term plans.
9:30am — Washington, United States — Trump says WHO is China-centric, 'really blew it' on coronavirus
US President Donald Trump sharply criticised the World Health Organisation, accusing it of being too focused on China and issuing bad advice during the new coronavirus outbreak and saying he would put a hold on US funding for the agency.
“The WHO really blew it,” Trump said in a Twitter post. “For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China-centric. We will be giving that a good look."
Trump repeated the accusations against the health organisation at a White House news briefing later in the day, Reuters reports.
9:20am — Muzaffarabad, Pakistan — AJK reports 9 new cases, taking virus tally in the area to 28
The health minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday said that the number of confirmed coronavirus patients in the valley had risen to 28 after nine more virus cases were reported.
According to the minister, one of the confirmed patients of the virus is a doctor.
9:15am — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP reports 27 new cases, one more death from virus
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Khan Jhagra on Wednesday confirmed that another 27 cases of the coronavirus had emerged in the province, taking the provincial total to 527.
He added that another death has also been reported during the past 24 hours and the total number of deaths from the virus in the province were now 18.