Punjab coronavirus cases rise to 16, national toll soars to 230

LAHORE: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 230 in Pakistan, after Punjab reported 16 new cases in the province on Tuesday. 

"On the basis of test reports, of suspected patients, I can confirm that the number of confirmed #coronavirus patients is now 26.

"We are testing all the suspected patients and 736 Zaireen quarantined in DG Khan. 1,276 Zaireen coming from Taftan will also be quarantined," wrote Chief Minister Buzdar on Twitter. 

"I urge everyone that these are testing times & we should act responsibly!" he tweeted. 

Sindh tally reaches 172

The total number of coronavirus patients in the province rose to 172 on Tuesday after 17 new cases of the infection were reported in the province, Sindh government representative Murtaza Wahab confirmed.

Taking to Twitter, the chief minister's adviser on law stated that 134 pilgrims in Sukkar who arrived from Taftan had tested positive for the virus while 140 had tested negative. 

Among the 17 new coronavirus cases, two are residents of Karachi while 15 arrived in Sukkur from Karachi.

In Karachi, the affected toll rose to 37 while one coronavirus case was reported from Hyderabad.

Five new cases were reported in the province earlier today, taking the tally from 150 to 155. However, 17 new cases emerged, taking the toll to 172 throughout the province.

This takes the national affected persons toll to 210 from 193. 

Globally, 158 countries have been affected, more than 6,500 people have died and more than 170,000 infected by the disease called 'COVID-19' as it spreads rapidly to new territories.

The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases every day.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had, quoting National Institute of Health data, stated that Pakistan had reported its first death from Covid-19. According to a report released later by the Punjab health department, the deceased had tested negative for Covid-19 and had died due to unrelated causes.