KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 4,552 on Thursday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 12:06am, April 10, is as follows:

Total confirmed cases: 4,552

• Sindh: 1,128

• Punjab: 2,279

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 560

• Balochistan: 219

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 118

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 215

• AJK: 33

Deaths: 65

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 20

• Sindh: 21

• Balochistan: 2

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3

• Punjab: 18

• 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: General updates coming in from Pakistan

Red: Reports on new cases in Pakistan

Maroon: Reports on new deaths in Pakistan

Green: Reports on recovered patients in Pakistan

END OF LIVE UPDATES FOR APRIL 9

12:06am (April 10) — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab tally rises to 2,279

11:51pm — London, UK — British premier Boris Johnson leaves intensive care: govt

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left intensive care, where he had spent the three previous days for treatment against coronavirus, his Downing Street office has said.

"The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery," said the statement.

11:25pm — Washington, USA — US coronavirus death toll jumps to over 15,000: Johns Hopkins tally

10:53pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab doctor lightens up things in isolation ward as he dances with patients

The focal person on digital media to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has shared a Muzaffargarh doctor's efforts to lighten things up for patients in an isolation ward.

10:42pm — Karachi, Pakistan — CAA says general flight operations to remain suspended till April 21

10:06pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh releases city's coronavirus statistics

The Sindh health department released Karachi's coronavirus statistics, which showed that the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town remains the most affected with 127 infected cases.

Meanwhile, Saddar, Jamshed Town, Malir, North Karachi, and North Nazimabad have 109, 42, 41, 30, and one case, respectively.

Furthermore, it said that Baldia and Gadap Town reported two cases each.

The department said that among the infected, 70% were male, while 30% were female.

10:00pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Protective gear sent to 152 hospital: Dr Zafar Mirza

A week's supply of protective gear has been dispatched to 152 hospitals across the country, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said.

The paramedical staff and health professionals should wisely use personal protective equipment (PPE) — which includes N-95 masks, glasses, and protective kits — Mirza said, while addressing a press conference.

Dr Mirza requested people to "realise the gravity of the situation" and act with utmost care to curb the spread of the pandemic.

09:40pm — Rome, Italy — One hundred Italian doctors have died of virus: medics

---

09:03pm — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP's focal person on coronavirus shares 'success story of targeted lockdown'

08:30pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab tally surges by 36 to 2,224; one more death reported

08:19pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — 'I had wished for a stricter lockdown to be enforced,' says President Alvi

07:38pm —  Islamabad, Pakistan — Jump in city's tally by 16 leads to shutting down of Taramari Chowk area

07:16pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Chinese medical teams calls on President Alvi

---

06:55pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Provincial tally climbs by 6 to 219

5:15pm - Quetta, Pakistan — BNP chief claims PM Imran given incorrect picture of situation in Balochistan 

Balochistan National Party head Sardar Akhtar Mengal has claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan was incorrectly briefed on the coronavirus situation in the province. He added that all medical staff In Quetta is on a strike across the provincial capital

Washington DC, US — IMF chief says pandemic will unleash worst recession since Great Depression

The pandemic sweeping the world will turn global economic growth “sharply negative” in 2020, triggering the worst fallout since the 1930s Great Depression, with only a partial recovery seen in 2021, the head of the International Monetary Fund said.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva painted a far bleaker picture of the social and economic impact of the new coronavirus than even a few weeks ago, noting governments had already undertaken fiscal stimulus measures of $8 trillion, but more would likely be needed.

She said the crisis would hit emerging markets and developing countries hardest of all, which would then need hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid.

“Just three months ago, we expected positive per capita income growth in over 160 of our member countries in 2020,” she said on Thursday in remarks prepared for delivery ahead of next week’s IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings.

“Today, that number has been turned on its head: we now project that over 170 countries will experience negative per capita income growth this year.”

5:09pm - Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan MPA donates Rs 5 milliion to provincial govt

Balochistan Assembly lawmaker Danesh Kumar donated Rs5 million to the provincial government in the fight against coronavirus.

According to the provincial government spokesperson, the money will be used to distribute it among the needy in the province 

5:05pm - Quetta, Pakistan  — PM Imran departs for Islamabad 

Prime Minister Imran Khan departed for Islamabad after completing a one-day trip to the provincial capital.

The PM during the visit was briefed on the coronavirus situation in the province and also visited a quarantine centre set up at the Bolan Medical Complex in Quetta.

5:00pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — SAPM Dr Zafar Mirza thanks pharmacists

4:47pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran to hold telethon on Friday: PTI senator

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Faisal Javaid announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will do a telethon for the corona relief fund on Friday.

The senator stated that the telethon will be broadcast live on at 5pm tomorrow.

4:42pm - Sukkur, Pakistan — Police arrest four for robbing needy in name of Ehsaas Programme

Sukkur Police on Thursday booked four for deceiving needy in name of Ehsaas Kifalat Program – which was launched to provide aid to the impoverished segment of the society.

“The alleged culprits, who were working as machine operators in the government camps, were arrested after few women filed complaint against them,” said SSP Irfan Samo.

The accused used to demand money ranging from Rs400-500 from the needy with a promise to get them quick aid through the program, the police official said, adding that around Rs40,000 were also obtained from the accused.

4:29pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Foreign ministry donates N-95 and surgical masks to  PIMS

The foreign ministry handed over 1,000 N-95 masks and 1,000 surgical masks to the officials in PIMS Islamabad. The spokesperson stated that the relief equipment was handed over to the PIMS management by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

4:04pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Medical professionals seeking to become part of tiger force to be deployed immediately 

The civil and military leadership has decided to seek help from the medical professionals who have registered to become a part of the corona tiger force.

The forum decided to deploy more than 10,000 people associated with the medical field at once, it also decided that the medical professionals will be sent across the province. The forum also tasked Special Assistant to Prime Minister Usman Dar to increase the registration of more paramedics and doctors.

3:02pm - Madrid, Spain — Spain's daily coronavirus deaths decrease as toll surpasses 15,000

Spain's number of daily coronavirus deaths slowed on Thursday after two days of increases as 683 people succumbed in 24 hours, taking the total to 15,238, the health ministry said.

Overall detected cases rose to 152,446 from 146,690 on Wednesday, it added

2:51pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Seven of a family test positive in Sindh: CM Murad Ali Shah

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on Thursday urged citizens to be more vigilant for adapting preventive measures after seven members of the same family contracted coronavirus in Sindh.

“This local transmission of cases is what we had feared since always”, he said, adding that the needy should actively participate in ration drives but should not take the virus home.

2:48pm - DI Khan, Pakistan — Quarantine centre to emptied soon

Deputy Commissioner of D I Khan stated that the quarantine centre set up in the district will be emptied soon. He added that a total of 282 people were brought in the centre set up in Gomal Medical college.

The DC shared that 253 pilgrims completed their isolation period and have returned to their homes, while 29 people left will soon return home after completing their time.

2:34pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of recovered patients rises to 689

The nationwide tally of recovered patients rose to 689 after seven new patients recovered from the infection in the federal capital.

2:21pm - Jakarta, Indonesia — Indonesia reports biggest daily jump in coronavirus infections

Indonesia confirmed on Thursday the biggest daily jump in coronavirus infections since cases were first announced last month, with 337 new cases taking the total to 3,293, said a health ministry official, Achmad Yurianto.

Yurianto reported 40 new deaths, taking the total to 280, while 252 people have recovered.

2:09pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — IHC to resume court operations from next week

Despite a nation-wide lockdown, Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday announced to resume court operations from next week.

According to the notification, two single benches and one division bench were already functional, however, from the coming week all IHC judges will resume their duties accordingly.

Following the notification, IHC also issued duty roaster for seven judges, notifying that in the coming week, from Monday to Friday seven single benches will operate and three division benches will be functional from Monday to Thursday.

However, a special division bench can be formed on chief Justice’s directives any time.

2:04pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Deaths due to virus rises to 64

The country’s death due to coronavirus rose to 64 after Sindh reported another death in the province.

2:02pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Nationwide tally rises to 4,437

Pakistan tally of confirmed cases rose to 4,437 after 92 new cases were reported in Sindh.

According to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the provincial tally now stands at 1,128 and 349 people have recovered from the infection in the province.

1:50pm — Quetta, Pakistan — PM Imran visits quarantine centre in Bolan Medical College Hospital

Prime Minister Imran Khan visited a quarantine centre established at the Bolan Medical College Hospital in Quetta on Thursday.

During his visit, the prime minister was briefed by the provincial chief secretary about the facilities there. He was also briefed about the situation in Balochistan and the steps taken to stem the spread of the virus in the province.

1:45pm — Islamabad, Pakistan – Capital authorities decide to re-open OPDs

Authorities in the federal capital have decided to re-open outpatient departments (OPDs) across the city, a notification issued on Thursday said.

According to the notification, the decision to re-open the OPDs has been taken keeping in mind the problems faced by the public.

“Hospitals needs to ensure they will take all the necessary safety precautions including maintaining social distancing in the OPDs,” the notification said.    

1:30pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan reports one more cases, nationwide tally rises to 4,345

Balochistan on Thursday reported one more case of coronavirus to take the provincial tally to 213.

This takes the number of confirmed cases to 4,345.

1:19pm - Moscow, Russia — Russia's tally surpasses 10,000 after record daily rise

Russia on Thursday reported a record one-day rise of 1,459 new cases of coronavirus, pushing its national case total to 10,131.

The number of coronavirus-related deaths rose by 13 to 76, the national coronavirus crisis response centre said.

1:18pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Social distancing directives being violated in Korangi 

People violate the social distancing orders while receiving cash under the Ehsaas programme in Karachi's Korangi area. The federal government has set up 17,000 points across the country for cash collection.

1:00pm - Madrid, Spain — Spain close to reversing coronavirus curve, says PM

Spain’s latest coronavirus data is encouraging and the country is close to the beginning of a decline in the epidemic, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday.

“The fire starts to come under control,” he told parliament before a vote on the extension of a state of emergency by another two weeks until April 26.

12:59pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Islamabad admin de-seals Bhara Kahu and Shahzad Town

The district administration in Islamabad has de-sealed the Bhara Kahu and Shahzad Town after new cases were reported in the areas. The administration clarified that Section 144 will still be place in the areas.

12:36pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Staff at Islamabad quarantine facilities being trained by NIH experts: DC Islamabad

12:35pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — DRAP to adopt British standards to check ventilators

Federal Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry stated that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to adopt British standards to check locally made ventilators.

The minister stated that DRAP and engineering council have received more designs for local ventilators. He added that detail related to the medical equipment can be found on DRAP’s website.

“Ventilator production will begin as soon as the quality clearance is granted,” stated the minister.

12:27pm - PIA expands flight operations

Pakistan International Airlines expanded its flight operations in more countries to bring back stranded Pakistanis.

According to the new schedule, A PIA aircraft will go to Denmark on April 10, two flights will travel to Azerbaijan and Malaysia on April 11 to bring back the stranded Pakistanis.

The national carrier also announced that on April 11 a PIA flight will take back French nationals in Pakistan. It added that on April 12 a flight will take back Japanese nationals stranded in Pakistan and on April 13 a flight will go to Bangkok and bring back the stranded Pakistanis in Thailand.

PIA management has asked those interested in boarding these flights reach out to the national carrier.

12:04pm - London, United Kingdom — British PM is 'stable, improving and sat up' in intensive care, says minister 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in a stable and improving condition in intensive care, his culture minister said on Thursday.

“In terms of the prime minister’s condition, it remains as we said yesterday: he’s stable, improving, sat up and engaged with medical staff,” Oliver Dowden told BBC TV.

“I think things are getting better for him.”

12:00pm - Muzaffarabad, AJK — Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 4,344

The nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 4,344 after five new cases were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to AJK health minister, the tally of the confirmed cases in the region now stands at 33.

11:57am - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab to make decisions regarding lockdown next week: Yasmin Rashid

Puunjab health miinister Yasmin Rashi stated that Punjab has been under lockdown since February 23, adding that the provinvial government will analyse the situation in the province for next week to make any further decisions. 

"The areas that are most affected from coronavirus are under complete lock down," shared the minister. She added that there was a spike in cases seen in Raiwind and therefore Lahore has been under strict surveillance.

11:47am - Social distancing being followed at Ehsaas payment points: Dr Nishtar

11:37am - Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand reports 54 new coronavirus cases, two more deaths

Thailand reported 54 new coronavirus cases and 2 more deaths on Thursday, including a 74-year-old French national.

An 82-year-old Thai man also died, said a spokesman for the government’s Center for CoVID-19 Situation Administration.

The new cases include five Thais repatriated from Indonesia who had traveled to South Sulawesi province for a religious gathering last month before the event was postponed.

Thailand has reported a total of 2,423 cases and 32 fatalities, while 940 patients have recovered and gone home since the outbreak started in January.

11:14am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Distribution of relief funds under Ehsaas Programme to begin from today

Distribution of relief funds under the Ehsaas Programme to families affected by the coronavirus lockdown will begin from today.

According to Dr Sania Nishtar, who is in charge of the programme, 12 million families will get Rs12,000 each under the initiative. A budget of Rs144 billion was approved for the plan, said Dr Nishtar.

The families will be given Rs12,000 cash after biometric verification through 18,065 sale points or retail shops of Habib Bank Limited and Bank Al-Falah across the country.

Read more here.

11:12am - Peshawar, Pakistan — KP health minister thanks team from Khyber Medical University

11:09am - Peshawar, Pakistan — Pakistan to seal Torkham border again from today

Pakistan will re-seal its border with Afghanistan from today after opening it earlier this week to let Afghan nationals return home.

According to the DPO, 1,000 Afghan nationals have crossed the border daily.

11:08am - Islamabad, Pakistan — SAPM sets up DRAP committee to test locally made ventilators 

Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has announced that last week he had established the DRAP Expert Committee on ventilators to test the locally manufactured medical equipment.

“At a great speed they have already produced fast track acceptance test procedure for locally developed mechanical ventilators for COVID-19,” tweeted Dr Mirza. He added that the document can be accessed on DRAP’s website.

11:01am — Lahore, Pakistan – 'Working on protecting street children from virus'

Chairperson Child Protection Bureau Sarah Ahmed has said the department is working towards protecting street children in the country from contracting COVID-19.

“We are making the street children aware of the dangers of the virus,” Ahmed told Geo Pakistan. “We have started working on a warning operation to make sure these children stay at home.”

If these children are unprotected and contract the virus, it would be dangerous for others as well, she said.

“If they don’t heed the advice given by us, the police will take action,” she added.

10:56am - President Alvi clarifies on using N-95 mask

10:54am - Karachi, Pakistan — Ration bags distributed to 250,000 families: Murtaza Wahab

Adviser to Sindh chief minister Murtaza Wahab has said, the provincial government has distributed ration bags to 250,000 families in the province.

“Federal government is giving controversial remarks regarding the lockdown,” Wahab told Geo Pakistan. “It would have been beneficial to have the same lockdown strategy throughout the country.”

10:53am - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM to travel to Quetta for one-day visit 

Prime Minister Imran Khan will travel to Quetta for a one-day visit to review the coronavirus situation in the province, said the PM Office.

According to the PMO, the premier will be briefed on the steps being taken to stop the spread of the virus and future step being taken.

“Governor Balochistan, chief Minister Jama Kamal and provincial cabinet members will also meet PM Imran,” tweeted the PM office. They added that the PM will also speak to media representatives in the city.

10:47am - Tokyo, Japan — Japan infections reach at least 5,000 cases: NHK

The total number of Japanese novel coronavirus infections hit 5,002 on Thursday, NHK public broadcaster said, showing no signs of slowing despite Japan’s move this week to impose a state of emergency on Tokyo and six other areas.

The new cases were reported in nearly all parts of Japan and included at least five police officers in Fujisawa, a city just south of Tokyo, Kyodo news agency said.

10:43am - Islamabad, Pakistan — IMF and Pakistan working to help country obtain loan to confront shock on economy 

The International Monetary Fund mission in Pakistan stated that the lender and Pakistani authorities were working ‘expeditiously’ to ensure that the country gets the loan to help confront the COVID-19 shock.

“The IMF and Pakistani authorities are working expeditiously for the approval by the Executive Board and disbursement of the Rapid Financing Instrument to confront the COVID-19 shock,” tweeted IMF’s representative office in Pakistan. The lender added that Pakistan remains committed to the Extended Fund Facility policies and reforms.

10:35am - Berlin, Germany — Germany's coronavirus cases rise by 4,974, deaths by 246

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Germany rose by 4,974 in the past 24 hours to 108,202 on Thursday, climbing for the third straight day after four previous days of drops, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed.

The reported death toll rose by 246 to 2,107.

10:30am - Karachi, Pakistan — Provincial govt issues new SOPs for charities 

Sindh government has updated its Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for charities involved in ration distribution among the needy in the province.

According to the latest SOP, the charity organisations will have to register themselves in the mobile application launched by the provincial government. In the latest notification ration can be distributed among the needy between 4am till 7am.

The government has also stated that ration distribution will be halted if the law and order situation worsens in the province.

10:20am — Hyderabad, India — Corona car aims to create awareness about deadly virus 

10:15am — New York, United States — US coronavirus deaths top 14,600

US deaths due to coronavirus topped 14,600 on Wednesday, the second highest reported number in the world after New York reported 799 deaths in a day. Worldwide, Italy has the most reported deaths in the world at 17,669 and Spain is in third place with 14,555.

US officials warned Americans to expect alarming numbers of coronavirus deaths this week, even as an influential university model on Wednesday scaled back its projected US pandemic death toll by 26% to 60,000. On Tuesday, US deaths set a new daily record with over 1,900 new deaths reported in a single day, according to a Reuters tally. 

10:00am — Peshawar, Pakistan — 33 new virus cases, 2 more deaths reported in KP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Khan Jhagra on Thursday confirmed 33 new coronavirus cases in the province, taking the provincial total to 560.

In tweet, he stated that two more deaths were also reported, taking the total toll to 20. So far, 122 people have recovered from the disease in the province, according to the minister.

9:50am  — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab tally shoots up to 2,172

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Punjab rose to 2,172 on Thursday morning, according to the National Command and Operations Centre.

For our April 8 coronavirus coverage click here.

For our April 7 coronavirus coverage click here.