11:51pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan govt spokesperson makes impassioned plea after cases rise to 'shocking' 351

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani has pleaded the province's residents to "take care" after 46 new cases were reported of which 41 were locally transmitted.

11:37pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab reports one more death, taking grim total to 37 in province

11:32pm — Quetta, Balochistan — Province sees rise in cases by 11, tally hits 346

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani, the province now has 346 cases with 11 new cases surfacing.

10:53pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab's medical colleges to remain closed till April 25

10:19pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh health dept thanks Asim Jofa for new batch of PPEs

According to the department, the designer delivered 1,700 personal protection equipment sets to the Sindh government.

"Your contribution will help us protect our frontline healthcare workers," said the department to Jofa.

10:11pm — Stockholm, Sweden — Princess Sofia dons scrubs to help healthcare

Sweden's Princess Sofia has begun doing shifts as a healthcare assistant in Stockholm after completing a three-day course to help ease strained healthcare resources during the new coronavirus pandemic, the Swedish Royal Court has said.

The 35-year-old princess started volunteering at the Sophiahemmet hospital in Stockholm on Thursday.

"As the honorary chair of Sophiahemmet, she wants to help out in this crisis that Sweden is in," Margareta Thorgren, information director at the royal court, told AFP.

Princess Sofia, who joined the royal family when she married Prince Carl Philip in 2015, completed a three-day course last week to be able to help out.

The course was part of an initiative to re-train furloughed airline cabin crew and hotel employees to work as hospital and nursing home staff.

Sweden has not imposed the extraordinary lockdown measures seen across Europe, instead urging people to take responsibility and follow official recommendations.

The government has banned gatherings of more than 50 people and barred visits to nursing homes.

On Friday, Sweden reported 13,216 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,400 deaths.

10:00pm — Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan — Region reports five new cases, nine recoveries

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan health department, the region now has a total of 250 cases, of which 55 are under treatment.

09:53pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan's cases rise to 335

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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.

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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.

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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 region's 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 Ramazan 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 Ramazan.

The President also took Maulana Fazl’s advice on the taraveeh prayers held during Ramazan.

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