Coronavirus updates, April 17: Latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic from Pakistan and around the world
National virus death toll crosses 130, cases pass 7,200, global death toll goes past 143,000
Updated Friday Apr 17 2020
KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 7,291 on Friday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 5:30pm, April 17, is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 7,291
• Sindh: 2,217
• Punjab: 3,301
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 993
• Balochistan: 333
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 154
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 245
• AJK: 48
Deaths: 137
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 45
• Sindh: 47
• Balochistan: 5
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 36
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 1
Officials have recorded more than 2.14 million cases and more than 143,000 deaths since the virus emerged in China in December.
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
LIVE UPDATES
08:30pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Punjab sees rise in cases by 90, bringing infected tally to 3,391
07:55pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — More than four million families provided monetary support under Ehsaas Programme
07:52pm — WATCH: China's economy shrinks for the first time in three decades as virus bites
07:49pm — Singapore reports 623 new cases taking total infections to 5,050
Singapore has reported 623 new coronavirus cases, taking the city-state’s total infections to 5,050.
The health ministry said the majority of the cases were foreign workers in dormitories, which now account for more than half of the Southeast Asian nations infections.
07:38pm — Karachi, Pakistan — A snapshot of Sindh's cases
07:12pm — Kemaman, Malaysia — Ghostly goings-on: Phantom on lockdown patrol
A ghostly figure with wild hair and a flowing beard is haunting a small Malaysian community in a bid to ensure superstitious residents stay home during the country's coronavirus lockdown.
It is not a genuine spirit but local man Muhammad Urabil Alias, who has taken to dressing up in a white robe and mask and going on regular night-time patrols.
During his outings in his village in Kemaman, northeast Malaysia, children scream and run back into their homes as they see the "ghost" walking down the road.
Like many countries seeking to fight the spread of the virus, Malaysia has ordered people to stay at home, and closed schools and non-essential businesses.
Urabil said that he decided to start the ghost patrols after virus cases rose sharply in the country — Malaysia has so far reported over 5,000 infections and more than 80 deaths.
"I am watching the news and I see more people are dead, so I... decided to scare people," the 38-year-old told AFP.
And his creative method of ensuring people stick to the rules appears to be effective in a country where belief in the supernatural runs deep, particularly in rural areas.
Muhammad Abdillah said whenever the town´s youngsters see him on patrol, they "run like crazy back to their homes. Now before they go out, they have to check whether the ghost is around or not".
When Urabil posted a photo of himself dressed as a ghost on social media, it quickly went viral and prompted a visit by the police to his house.
He said he was initially worried they were going to arrest him — but instead the officers thanked him for his efforts and had their photo taken with him.
07:07pm — Karachi, Pakistan — First patient discharged from field hospital at Expo Centre
06:15pm — Paris, France — Worldwide toll according to 1100GMT tally
The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 145,673, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT.
More than 2,182,740 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December.
Of these cases, at least 474,900 are now considered recovered.
The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.
Many countries are testing only the most serious cases.
In the United States, now the epicentre of the pandemic, the death toll stood at 33,286 with 671,425 infections. At least 54,703 patients have recovered.
Italy is the next most-affected country with 22,170 deaths and 168,941 confirmed infections.
It is followed by Spain with 19,478 fatalities and 188,068 confirmed infections, France with 17,920 deaths and 165,027 infections and Britain with 13,729 deaths and 103,093 cases.
China — excluding Hong Kong and Macau — has to date declared 4,632 deaths and 82,367 cases with 77,892 recoveries.
Europe has listed 1,099,211 cases and 94,021 deaths to date, the US and Canada together have 701,335 cases with 34,499 deaths, Asia 154,943 cases with 6,751 deaths, the Middle East 115,745 cases with 5,357 deaths, Latin America and the Caribbean 85,237 cases with 4,001 deaths, Africa 18,546 cases with 965 deaths and Oceania 7,730 cases with 79 deaths.
06:08pm — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP health minister says 'record 426 tests' conducted yesterday
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health minister Taimur Khan Jhagra has announced that a record 426 tests were carried out in the province yesterday, more than doubling last week's average.
Jhagra said the province aims to conduct 2,000 tests daily by early May.
5:57pm - Saudi Arabia’s cases rises to 7,142, announces 762 new cases
5:51pm - Karachi, Pakistan — PPP chairman hits out at govt for not announcing relief package for frontline workers and daily wage earners
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has hit out at the government for its failure to announce a major relief package for doctors, nurses, frontline fighters and daily wage earners.
“In the middle of global pandemic, we have not announced major relief packages for our doctors, nurses, frontline fighters or even daily wage earners who have been hardest hit by lockdown,” said the PP chairman. He noted that Pakistan has announced a major relief for construction industry during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our value for profit over human life is driving our response to a health crisis,” said Bilawal. He added that the federal government has “its priorities wrong and the whole country could suffer as a result”.
Bilawal urged the government to support the health care system, laborers and those who need it the most.
5:44pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan to launch portal to seek help for expat doctors abroad
Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has revealed that the government will launch a portal to allow health professionals abroad help in the country's fight against coronavirus.
Dr Zafar Mirza, in a press conference, stated that the portal will be launched tomorrow.
5:30pm - Quetta, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 7,291
Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 7,291 after new cases were reported in Balochistan.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani, 28 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 333.
5:26pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran directs authorities to devise safety plan for Ramazan
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the concerned authorities for devising a safety plan against coronavirus during the month of Ramazan after holding consultations with Ulema.
The prime minister issued the orders in a meeting with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri.
The consultative meeting of President Dr Arif Alvi with Ulema, to be held Saturday, came under discussion.
The prime minister is also due to hold a meeting with Ulema next week.
5:24pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — UNFPA donates PPEs to NDMA
5:20pm - Muzaffarabad, AJK— Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 7,263
Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 7,263 after new cases were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to spokesperson of the AJK government, two new cases were reported in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 48.
5:16pm - Karachi, Sindh — SIUT has carried out 5,800 tests: spokesperson
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation has carried out 5,800 coronavirus tests out of which 208 were positive, said a spokesperson for the institute.
The spokesperson added that most of the patients have been directed to quarantine themselves int heir homes. While 50 patients have been admitted in SIUT’s isolation ward.
5:06pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab govt finalises financial package for frontline workers
5:02pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Sanjrani writes letter to senate committee for conducting virtual sessions amid corona outbreak
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday pens down a letter to committee on rules and procedures to seek recommendations for conducting virtual senate sessions during the coronavirus situation.
“The coronavirus has become a major challenge for not only us but for the whole world,” said Sanjrani, adding that inorder to conduct virtual sessions for senate, the committee should amend the existing rules and regulations while maintaining all security protocols.
5:01pm - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi grand mufti says Taraweeh and Eid prayers to be done at home amid coronavirus
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, the highest religious authority in the country, said that Muslim prayers during Ramadan and for the subsequent Eid al-Fitr feast should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues, Saudi’s Okaz newspaper reported on Friday.
“Ramadan’s Taraweeh (evening) prayer can be performed at home if it cannot be performed at mosques due to the preventive measures taken to fight the spread of coronavirus,” he said in response to a question, adding that same applies for Eid prayers, according to the paper.
4:48pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh govt AKu sign MoU to train public healthcare professionals
The Sindh government and Aga Khan University have signed an MoU under which the latter will provide free-of-cost training and technical assistance on COVID-19 critical care to healthcare professionals in the public sector.
Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, Secretary Health Sindh Zahid Abbasi , AKU Medical College Dean Dr Adil Haider and AKUH CEO Shagufta Hassan signed MoUs at the Sindh Secretariat on Frida.
According to a press release, the healthcare professionals will also benefit from the university’s teleconsultation services on critical care issues such as ventilator management of coronavirus patients.
4:42pm - Singapore — Oil nears 18 year low on demand devastation warning
Oil languished at multi-year lows on Thursday, with WTI crude remaining around $20 a barrel as dire warnings about a virus-triggered demand shock overshadowed a deal to cut output.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate made small gains in Asian afternoon trade to $20.05 per barrel at one point.
It had slipped below the $20 mark Wednesday, and hit its lowest price in 18 years.
4:38pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Lockdown very effective between 12-3pm: Sindh govt
Provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab stated that the complete lockdown between 12-3pm in the province was “very effective: today.
Wahab also lauded the brave policemen and rangers for making the lockdown effective. He urged people to help the provincial government to enforce the lockdown.
4:34pm - Tokyo, Japan — Japan offers $930 virus stimulus payment to all residents
Japan will offer a cash payment of 100,000 yen ($930) to every resident, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday, as measures to contain the coronavirus decimate the world´s third-top economy.
"We are moving quickly to deliver cash to all people," Abe said in a televised news conference to explain his decision to expand a state of emergency nationwide.
An initial plan to provide three times that amount to households, which have seen incomes slashed because of the coronavirus, was ditched and Abe apologised for the confusion.
4:33pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — NEPRA office closed after employee tests positive
NEPRA head office in Islamabad has been closed and employees have been asked to work from home after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
4:32pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Coronavirus will accelerate the pace of digitalisation: FM Qureshi
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday stated that the coronavirus pandemic will accelerate the pace of digitalisation in the country.
“Our reluctance will also go away as there has been social distancing,” stated Foreign Minister Qureshi while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad. He added that officials at the Foreign Office have also been working remotely and attendance at the ministry has also been reduced.
“I could not imagine NCC and cabinet meetings would be held digitally and we would be connected to the provinces digitally,” noted Qureshi while talking about the impact of the pandemic. He added that this is how things have changed and will continue to change.
4:21pm - Mirpurkhas, Pakistan — District bar association president in letter to CJP claims govt hospitals do not have any ventilators
Mirpurkhas District Bar Association president in a letter written to Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad has claimed that government hospitals do not have any ventilators.
The lawyer has also alleged that the medical staff involved in the fight against coronavirus have also been deprived of protective equipment. He added that those who are staving are not being given any rations or financial assistance.
4:06pm - Zurich, Switzerland — Swiss coronavirus death toll climbs to 1,059, positive tests top 27,000
The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 1,059 people, the country’s public health agency said on Friday, rising from 1,017 on Thursday.
The number of people showing positive tests for the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus increased to 27,078 from 26,732, it said here
The government plans gradual easing of restrictions to curb the epidemic’s spread from April 27, starting with the opening of hairdressers and nail bars.
3:58pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — President Alvi seeks Maulana Fazl's advice on Ramzan congregations
President Arif Alvi on Friday spoke to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman and took his advice on limiting congregations at mosques during Ramzan.
The President also took Maulana Fazl’s advice on the taraveeh prayers held during Ramzan.
3:49pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Former cricketer Jalalud din says ‘authorities not facilitating family’ after brother-in-law tested positive
Former test cricketer Jalalud din complained on Friday that the authorities are not facilitating his family members after his brother-in-law tested positive for coronavirus.
“Authorities are not taking the test of family members [including his sister and her children] nor are they being allowed to test themselves,” said the former cricketer.
3:41pm - Peshawar, Pakistan — Pashtun nomadic tribes protest against surveillance on Afghan border
Pashtun nomadic tribes on Friday protested against the strict surveillance and restrictions on crossing Afghan border in North Waziristan amid coronavirus outbreak.
The Kuchiyan tribe leader complained that due to the restrictions implemented on borders, around 300 families have been stranded near Ghulam Khan Border for almost 40 days now.
“We are facing a lot of problems during these restrictions since we are habitual of spending six months in Afghanistan and six months in Pakistan,” the leader lamented.
3:37pm - Learn how to make a bandana mask in under a minute
3:31pm - London, United Kingdom — Deaths from COVID-19 in UK care homes is higher than 2%: health minister
British health minister Matt Hancock said on Friday the rate of deaths due to COVID-19 in care homes was higher than 2%, adding he was concerned about how the novel coronavirus was spreading in places housing vulnerable people.
Asked whether it was likely that less than 2% of COVID deaths were in care homes, Hancock told a parliamentary committee: “No,” adding that the less than 2% figure was out of date. “I can say with a high degree of confidence that the number and the proportion are higher than what you say.”
3:30pm - Tehran, Iran — Iran's coronavirus death toll rises by 89 to 4,958: health ministry
Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus rose by 89 in the past 24 hours to reach 4,958 on Friday, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV.
The total number of cases of infection reached 79,494, of which 3,563 were in critical condition, he said.
A parliamentary report released earlier this week said the coronavirus death toll might be almost double the figures announced by the health ministry, and the number of infections eight to 10 times more.
3:26pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh Food Authority issues precautionary measures for home delivery of food
Sindh Food Authority on Friday issued precautionary measures for home delivery services.
According to the directives, employees should be keen about the cleanliness of food during home deliveries while ensuring the tidy packaging of food items which should be sterile sprayed.
The food authority has also instructed the outlets to make sure that all employees wash their hands with hot water and soap and should regulate the use of sanitisers while preparing food for customers.
The person who will be appointed to deliver food should carry face mask and should not be more than 55 years, the authority notified, adding that incase the appointed person is showing any symptoms like coughing or fever, the owner should take action immediately by not assigning the job to that respective person.
3:24pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Speaker Qaiser and PM Imran discuss coroanvirus situation
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday discussed the coronavirus and political situation of the country with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.
During the meeting, the NA speaker briefed PM Imran on the recommendations put forward by the parliamentary committee on coronavirus. The two leaders also discussed on the idea of holding a virtual session of the National Assembly.
“We will have to keep the National Assembly active and functional during the current times,” PM Imran told the NA speaker.
3:14pm - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Malaysia reports 69 new coronavirus cases and two new deaths
Malaysian health officials reported 69 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the lowest daily increase since the government imposed curbs on movement and business on March 18, taking the cumulative total to 5,251 cases.
The health ministry also reported 2 new deaths, bringing the total fatalities to 86.
3:10pm - Madrid, Spain — Spain's number of coronavirus cases rises to 188,068 on Friday
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Spain rose to 188,068 on Friday, the country’s head of health emergencies Fernando Simon said at a news conference.
Health authorities identified 5,252 new cases of the virus between Thursday and Friday, which represents a 2.9% increase.
03:00pm – Islamabad, Pakistan - One million registered with Corona Relief Tiger Force: Usman Dar
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.
2:40pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — 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.
2:37pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — Federal cabinet passes ordinance against hoarders, awaits President Alvi's approval
The ordinance against hoarder awaits President Arif Alvi’s signature after the federal cabinet approved the ordinance, sources told Geo News.
The sources added that the ordinance will be applicable in the federal capital and anyone found hoarding items will face a three-year prison sentence and will have to pay 50% of the items as a fine.
The sources said the items included in the ordinance are tea, sugar, milk, powdered milk, food for children, cooking oil, juice, lentils, salt, potatoes, onions and other essential items.
2:20pm - Jakarta, Indonesia — Indonesia reports highest number of cases in Southeast Asia
Indonesia reported on Friday 407 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of cases to 5,923 and surpassing the Philippines as the country with the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.
Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto also reported 24 new deaths attributed to the disease, taking the total to 420, and said Indonesia has performed 42,000 tests for the virus.
2:18pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — 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.
“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.
2:10pm - China denies of coronavirus cover up
2:00pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 7,261
Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 7,261 after new cases were reported in Punjab.
According to spokesperson of Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare government spokesperson, 25 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 3,301.
1:52pm - Lahore, Pakistan — More than 17,000 FIRs registered against people for violating section 144 in Punjab
Spokesperson of the Punjab police has stated that 17,983 FIRs have been registered against those violating the Section 144 imposed in the province.
The police spokesperson added that action has been taken against 3,499 shops and 216 restaurants.
1:46pm - Sydney, Australia — Cricket Australia lays off staff over virus shutdown
Cricket Australia has announced it is laying off most of its administrative staff and will run a skeleton operation until at least mid-year due to COVID-19's impact on the game.
The governing body informed the majority of staffers on Thursday that from April 27 they would have to remain home on reduced pay — reportedly 20 percent of their regular salary — until June 30 at the earliest.
With international and domestic cricket postponed indefinitely because of the virus, CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said the game had to cut costs.
"The impacts on the sports industry of the coronavirus pandemic are bigger than any one sport," he said in a statement.
"Cricket Australia — like all sporting bodies — is planning for a return to training/play, although no one is certain when this will be possible at this stage, and many scenarios are being considered."
Roberts said he hoped the situation regarding resumption of play would be clearer by June 30.
1:45pm - Paris, France — European car market contracts 55% in March
European automobile sales fell by 55 percent last month due to the coronavirus outbreak as lockdown measures went into effect in most nations, the industry´s trade association said Friday.
"All 27 EU markets contracted in March, but Italy took the biggest hit, with registrations falling by 85.4 percent to 28,326 new cars," the European Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
1:43pm - Lahore, Punjab — Health minister launches mental health helpline
Provincial Health Minister Yasmin Rashid launched coronavirus mental health helpline to help the people affected by the virus.
According to the health department, the helpline will provide counselling to those facing mental health problems.
1:30pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Pakistan's death toll rises to 137
The nationwide death toll rose to 137 after two new deaths were reported in Sindh.
1:30pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rises to 7,236
Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rose to 7,236 after new cases were reported in Sindh.
According to Sindh government spokesperson, 209 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally to 2,217.
1:22pm - Peshawar, Pakistan — 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.
“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.
1:15pm - Faisalabad, Pakistan — Family in Faisalabad test positive for virus
A family in Faisalabad was diagnosed with the coronavirus after test results of deceased family member came positive in the city, announced the Deputy commissioner.
The DC stated that the son and daughter-in-law and their five kids were tested positive of the coronavirus after the death of their father, said the DC. He added that all the family members have been shifted to the isolation centre set up at the Ghulam Mehmoodabad General Hospital.
1:11pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh government not to open up Ramzan Bachat Bazzars
Sindh government has decided to not open up Ramzan Bachat Bazaars across the province due to the coronavirus in.
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah also imposed stricter measures in the Sabzi Mandi\s set up in the province.
12:50pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Employees of factory protest against layoff
Former employees of a factory in Karachi’s Korangi crossing are protesting against their former employers after being fired due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The protestors are claiming that the company fired them without providing them their salaries and bonuses. They added that their children will die of starvation, adding that they have been working in the company for the last 8 to 10 years.
12:42pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab under severe financial crisis: provincial finance secretary
Punjab’s Finance secretary has stated that the province is facing a severe financial crunch due to the coronavirus. He also ordered provincial departments to stop work on development projects and to decrease their non-development finances.
12:28pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — IHC directs fed govt to submit policy response on local industries
Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued directives to federal government to submit policy response for all local industries regarding coronavirus by April 24.
The case hearing was taken up by IHC Chief Justice Athar Manullah who issued orders on the request of a local cement factory who had approached the court to relieve electricity bills during the lockdown.
Inquiring about the government’s policy in this regard, the judge said that the court will issue decision for all local industries during the lockdown after considering the government policy.
During the hearing, the lawyers were instructed by the chief justice to stand six feet away.
The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing till April 24.
12:24pm - Indian health workers in Allahabad protest against attack on health workers
12:22am - IMF chief back's Pakistan's 'decisive measures' against coronavirus
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva has backed Pakistan's "decisive measures" to limit the impact of the coronavirus and save lives.
The IMF MD tweeted the appreciation after the international lender approved a $1.36 billion loan to Pakistan.
12:13pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab govt to start random testing in province
Punjab government has announced that it will start random testing in the province to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the provincial government’s twitter account, that province will start random testing after achieving the ability to carry out 4,200 test per day.
12:06pm - Coronavirus deaths cross 143,000, cases cross 2.14 mln
Reported cases of the coronavirus crossed 2.14 million globally and 143,744 people have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 0200 GMT on Friday.
12:06pm - Beijing, China — China's Wuhan hikes coronavirus death toll by 50% citing gaps in early testing
The Chinese city of Wuhan hiked its death toll from the novel coronavirus by 50% on Friday bringing the total to 3,869, state-run TV reported, confirming residents’ worst fears amid rising international doubts about Beijing’s handling of the outbreak.
The central city where the virus first appeared in humans late last year added another 1,290 victims on top of the 2,579 previously counted as of Thursday, reflecting incorrect reporting, delays and omissions, CCTV reported.
12:03pm - Brasilia, Brazil — Bolsonaro fires Brazil's health minister, calls to reopen economy
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fired his health minister on Thursday after clashing with him over how to fight the new coronavirus, and again called for states to end stay-at-home orders that he said were hurting the economy.
Few global leaders have done more than Bolsonaro to play down the pandemic, which has killed nearly 2,000 Brazilians. He has called the virus “a little flu” and criticized state governors for imposing restrictions supported by health experts and the popular outgoing minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta.
In televised remarks met with pot-banging protests in several major cities, Bolsonaro said Mandetta did not fully appreciate the need to protect jobs and he called again for a resumption of business in Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy.
“We need to return to normal, not as fast as possible, but we need to start having some flexibility,” Bolsonaro said. The government cannot afford emergency aid to the poor for much longer, he said.
11:58am - Karachi, Pakistan — SHC issues notices to federal, provincial govts and NDMA
The Sindh High Court issued notices to federal, provincial governments, the national disaster management authority in a plea filed against a lack of safeguards in the courts against the coronavirus.
SHC has directed the concerned parties to submit their replies by April 24. The petitioner has urged the court to issue coronavirus kits and N-95 masks for the lawyers and court official.
11:53am - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh to be under complete lockdown from 12-3pm
A complete lockdown will be observed in Sindh from 12 to 3pm, announced Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.
The CM added that mosques across the province will remain open but urged people to pray at home.
11:49am - Lahore, Pakistan — LHC dismisses plea regarding Ehsaas programme
Lahore High Court on Friday dismissed a petition regarding the difficulties being faced by people receiving cash under the Ehsaas Programme.
Justice Shahid Kareem, who was hearing the petition, disposed of the plea by calling it unmaintainable.
11:45am - Copenhagen, Denmark — Denmark to let some small businesses reopen on Monday
Denmark will allow certain small businesses, such as hairdressers, beauty salons and driving schools, to reopen on April 20, the government said on Friday, following a lockdown ordered last month to rein in the coronavirus.
The move comes after the Nordic country, one of Europe’s first to shut down, began reopening day care centres and schools this week in a first step towards gradually easing the lockdown.
“No one wants to keep Denmark closed a day longer than is absolutely necessary,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Facebook. “But we must not proceed faster than we can still keep the epidemic under control.”
Denmark will keep its borders shut, however, while curbs on restaurants, bars and gyms remain in place, as does a ban on large public gatherings.
11:25am - Karachi, Pakistan — 331 arrested for violating lockdown in port city
Karachi Police on Thursday arrested 331 people for violating the lockdown in the metropolis, said the spokesperson of the city’s police.
The spokesperson added that 85 cases have been registered for violation of section 144, while 78 rickshaws and 83 motorcycles were seized by the city cops.
11:22am - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Office asks chief secretaries to issue guidelines for tiger force
Prime Minister Office on Friday issued directives to the chief secretaries of the provinces for giving guidelines to the departments and management officials regarding the Corona Tiger Force.
In a letter, the bureaucrats were told that the tiger force will be deployed as soon as the directives are issued by PM Imran Khan. It added that provincial governments should ready the forces and put them on standby.
11:01am - New Yorkers pay tribute to city's essential workers
11:00am - UN chief asks world leaders to protect children affected by pandemic
10:57am - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM expresses condolences on deaths of Pakistanis all over the world
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday expressed his condolences with the Pakistanis who died due to the coronavirus all over the world.
“Many died while serving in the frontline of the global war against COVID19. My condolences and prayers go their families,” tweeted PM Imran.
The premier also prayed for the early recovery of those still battling the virus and reminded them that they were in everyone's prayers.
“We can never forget all of you far away from Pakistan who continue to do us proud and are our greatest asset, playing a critical role in Pakistan's development through remittances and charity work,” noted the premier.
10:48am — Islamabad, Pakistan – Death toll rises to 135 in Pakistan
The death toll from the novel coronavirus rose to 135 in the country after one more death was reported in Punjab.
10:43am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Chinese company donates medical masks to King Edward Medical University in Lahore
China Railway-NORINCO which manages the Orange Line Project in Lahore donated medical masks to the King Edward Medical University, announced the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan.
10:36am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Nationwide tally rises to 7,027
Nationwide tally of positive cases rose to 7,207 after new cases were reported in Islamabad.
According to the national dashboard, nine new cases were reported in the federal capital taking its tally to 154.
10:15am – Beijing, China – GDP slips 6.8% in first quarter due to virus
Chinese economy suffered huge losses last quarter and contracted for the first time in decades due to the drastic measures taken to contain the coronavirus, official data showed Friday, AFP reported.
Gross domestic product shrank 6.8% in the January-March quarter from the same period a year earlier, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
It was the first negative growth reported by the world’s second-largest economy since it began logging quarterly data in the early 1990s.
10:10am – Washington, United States – Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy
President Donald Trump has laid out guidelines for a gradual reopening of the United States after the battering of the coronavirus pandemic, saying normal life should resume quickly in some states, AFP reported.
Trump's new push came as he saw progress in his campaign to pressure China, with fellow Western leaders agreeing that Beijing has not been transparent on the origins of the virus that has infected more than 2.1 million people
09:45am – Karachi, Pakistan – SHC rejects plea against restriction on congregational prayers
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday rejected the plea filed against the restriction on congregational prayers in the mosque and declared that the authorities are taking the measures to ensure the safety of lives.