Coronavirus updates, April 16: Latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic from Pakistan and around the world
Nation's death toll crosses 130, cases pass 7,000; global death toll tops 140,000; SBP slashes interest rate to 9%
Updated Thursday Apr 16 2020
KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 7,018 on Thursday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 12:22am, April 17, is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 7,018
• Sindh: 2,008
• Punjab: 3,276
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 993
• Balochistan: 305
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 145
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 245
• AJK: 46
Deaths: 134
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 45
• Sindh: 45
• Balochistan: 5
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 35
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 1
Officials have recorded more than two million cases and more than 140,000 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
END OF LIVE UPDATES FOR APRIL 16
Live updates for April 17 to continue here.
12:22am (April 17) — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP tally soars to 993 cases as three more deaths reported
According to a late night update provided by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, the province's cases have surged by 58 to 993.
Three more deaths have also been reported, taking the grim total to 44 in the province. Of the three, two deaths are from Peshawar and one from Nowshera.
So far, a total of 205 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the province.
12:06am (April 17) — Paris, France — Coronavirus claims another 753 lives in France: official
The coronavirus outbreak has claimed another 753 lives in the last 24 hours in France, bringing the country's total fatalities to 17,920, top French health official Jerome Salomon has said.
But the number of virus patients hospitalised dropped by 474 and the number in critical care fell by 209, the health ministry´s number two official said.
"The spread of the virus is stabilising at a high level," he added.
Among the dead were 11,060 who died in hospital and 6,860 in care homes or other establishments, he said.
The number of people remaining in critical care was 6,248 which, though down slightly, outstrips the 5,000 specialist reanimation beds in French hospitals, meaning there are "still tensions" on hospital services, said Salomon.
The current situation corresponds with a "plateau" in the number of cases, he said, while stressing that people need to continue to respect the lockdown rules.
On Monday France extended its nationwide lockdown until May 11.
11:52pm — WHO regional director says about 50% of global COVID-19 burden in Europe
11:48pm — Washington, USA — G7 to coordinate economic reopening plans amid outbreak
G7 leaders have pledged to work together to "safely" put people back to work as the coronavirus crisis drags on in a bid to revive the slumping global economy, the White House has said.
The Group of Seven nations also called for "thorough review and reform" at the World Health Organisation, after US President Donald Trump's searing criticism of the UN agency.
11:28pm — Paris, France — Global coronavirus death toll tops 140,000: AFP tally
The global coronavirus death toll has passed 140,000, with nearly two thirds of all fatalities in Europe, according to an AFP tally at 1800 GMT.
In total, 140,902 people have died of the virus, including 92,900 in Europe, the hardest hit continent in the world.
There are now more than 2.1 million recorded infections globally, nearly half of which are in Europe.
The United States has the most deaths with 31,590 fatalities, followed by Italy with 22,170 and Spain's 19,130.
The tallies were collated using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
11:08pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab reports one more death, increase in tally by 44
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, in his daily update, has verified one more death from the virus in the province and a rise in cases by 44 to 3,276.
So far there have been 630 recoveries in the province and 35 deaths.
11:00pm —Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan reports two more deaths as tally rises to 305
According to Balochistan government spokerson Liaquat Shahwani, two more deaths have occurred in the province from the virus.
Balochistan's tally of total infected has risen to 305. Today, 24 cases of local transmissions were reported taking the total number of such cases to 167.
So far, 167 people have recovered from COVID-19.
10:40pm — Women to get hit harder by coronavirus, warn experts
Caitlyn Collins, an assistant professor of sociology at Washington University in St Louis, said that the infection is likely to hit women harder than men.
“Women’s disproportionate burden for caregiving hinders their ability to participate fully in the paid labour force. This is true in the best of times, and especially true, and dire, in times of economic crisis,” she said, speaking to Al-Jazeera.
10:30pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab conducts 4,200 coronavirus tests
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar announced on Thursday that the government can conduct 4,200 coronavirus tests per day.
10:10pm — Ankara, Turkey — Coronavirus cases, deaths in Turkey rise
The number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 74,193 on Thursday, as more than 4,000 people tested positive for the virus today. Turkey's Ministry of Health said the coronavirus death toll had risen by 125, bringing the country's total to 1,643.
09:56pm — Jerusalem, Israel — Al-Aqsa mosque to remain closed throughout Ramazan
09:28pm — London, UK — Lockdown to continue for three more weeks
09:25pm — New York City, USA — New York state to remain locked down till May 15
09:18pm — Zurich, Switzerland — Switzerland to start easing restrictions from April 27
The Swiss government will start a gradual relaxation of restrictions brought in to tackle spread of the new coronavirus from April 27, Reuters reports.
Doctors, hairdressers, massage and cosmetics parlours will be the first businesses to be allowed to reopen, it said. This will be followed by compulsory schools, shops and markets from May 11, it added.
In a third stage it will reopen secondary schools, vocational schools and universities from June 8. The government also foresees allowing an existing ban of meetings of more than five people to be relaxed, although the details of this stage will be announced at the end of May.
09:00pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh to continue Friday prayer restrictions, ulema signal support
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced a strict lockdown during Friday prayers tomorrow, in continuation of such measures from prior weeks.
According to the chief minister's spokesperson, between 12pm and 3pm tomorrow, there will be a complete ban on movement (unless there's an emergency) and congregations for prayers.
A meeting between the chief minister and ulema was held in which the ulema provided assurances that they would cooperate with the Sindh government's orders.
According to the spokesperson, it was decided that new SOPs will be formed for mosques.
"The prime minister will speak to the ulema in this regard tomorrow," the chief minister was quoted as saying.
SBP slashes interest rate by 2 percentage points to 'cushion impact' of virus on growth, employment
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced it has slashed the interest rate by 200 basis points, bringing it down to 9% from 11%, as the country reels from the economic impact of the virus.
A statement was issued by the central bank after a meeting between Monetary Police Committee members.
"The MPC was of the view that this action would cushion the impact of the coronavirus shock on growth and employment, including by easing borrowing costs and the debt service burden of households and firms, while also maintaining financial stability. It would also help ensure that economic activity is better placed to recover when the pandemic subsides," read the statement from the SBP.
08:35pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Local transmissions form 58% of country's cases
According to an 8:30pm update by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), cases of local transmission are 58% and those from foreign travel amount to 42% of the country's cases.
In the last 24 hours, 5,540 tests were conducted, according to the NCOC.
08:23pm — Australia to restrain movement for four more weeks
08:07pm — Washington, USA — US coronavirus death toll tops 30,000: tracker
The confirmed coronavirus death toll in the United States have surpassed 30,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The tracker says 30,990 people have now died in the country from COVID-19 since the start of the global health crisis.
The US has the highest death toll in the world, followed by Italy with 21,645 dead although its population is just a fifth of that of the US.
Spain has recorded 19,130 deaths, followed by France with 17,167.
07:49pm — Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan — Region's tally rises to 245
07:40pm — Paris, France — Worldwide toll at 1100 GMT
The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 137,500, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT from official sources.
More than 2,083,820 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December.
Of these cases, at least 450,500 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 30,985 with 639,664 infections. At least 50,107 patients have recovered.
Italy is the next most-affected country with 21,645 deaths from 165,155 infections.
It is followed by Spain with 19,130 fatalities from 182,816 confirmed infections, France with 17,167 deaths and 147,863 infections and Britain with 12,868 deaths from 98,476 cases.
China — excluding Hong Kong and Macau — has to date declared 3,342 deaths and 82,341 cases with 77,892 recoveries.
Europe has listed 1,047,303 cases and 90,181 deaths to date, the US and Canada together have 667,870 cases with 32,039 deaths, Asia 151,423 cases with 5,369 deaths, the Middle East 112,377 cases with 5.253 deaths, Latin America and the Caribbean 79,862 cases with 3,669 deaths, Africa 17,293 cases with 910 deaths and Oceania 7,694 cases with 79 deaths.
07:28pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab to soon conduct 10,000 tests daily
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has announced the province is ramping up testing and will soon be able to conduct 10,000 tests every day.
Eight new labs across various districts are near completion and will assist in the effort.
07:19pm — London, UK — Coronavirus death toll rises 861 to 13,729: official
The number of people in Britain who have died in hospital from the COVID-19 disease has risen by 861 to 13,729, according to daily health ministry figures.
After several days of decreasing numbers, it represents a spike of 100 on the previous day's rate of increase. The latest figures also showed the number of people in Britain to have tested positive for COVID-19 passed 100,000.
07:12pm — Rome, Italy — Italy investigates suspicious care-home deaths
Italian justice officials have launched an investigation into the suspicious deaths of nearly 200 people in a Milan care home since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
Investigators have seized documents from the headquarters of Milan's Lombardy regional government, media reports said.
They were investigating the deaths of "around 180 people" at Milan's Pio Albergo Trivulzio care home since Italy's COVID-19 outbreak erupted in February, the AGI news agency said.
The home's medical records were seized on Monday to determine whether staff negligence caused the virus to spread and kill the residents.
The Pio Albergo Trivulzio care home is one of Europe´s largest, providing lodgings for several thousand people.
La Repubblica newspaper said the home was suspected of concealing numerous COVID-19 fatalities.
Italy has officially recorded 21,645 deaths from the virus — the world´s second-highest total after the United States.
But most care-home deaths are not included in the official statistics and some doctors suspect Italy's real toll might be twice as high.
06:52pm — London, UK — British war veteran completes 100 laps, raises more than $15m for health service
06:23pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Lockdown still in effect and will be more vigorously enforced, says Murtaza Wahab
The Sindh chief minister's law adviser, Senator Murtaza Wahab, has dispelled the notion that there has been an easing in lockdown restrictions imposed across Sindh.
In a video message, Wahab said that "following announcements made by the prime minister, a false impression has developed that the lockdown is now over".
"Yesterday, the chief minister made it categorically clear in his press conference that the lockdown is still in effect and will be even more vigorously enforced than before in Sindh," he said.
Wahab said that the only difference between the earlier lockdown measures and the new measures in effect is that "some export-oriented industries and some industries in the construction sector" have been granted exemption on "the prime minister's insistence".
"The impression that tailor shops and salons are now open is false and baseless. No decision has been made in this regard by either the federal government or the Sindh government," he added.
6:00pm - Washington US — US weekly jobless claims top 5.2 million in latest week
Another 5.2 million more Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, lifting total filings for claims over the past month above an astounding 20 million, which would underscore the deepening economic slump caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The US Labor Department on Thursday said 5.245 million new unemployment claims were filed last week, down from a slightly revised 6.615 million the week before.
According to a Reuters survey of economists, initial claims were expected to have fallen to 5.105 million in the week ended April 11. Estimates in the survey went as high as 8 million.
The report followed dismal data on Wednesday showing a record drop in retail sales in March and the biggest decline in factory output since 1946.
Economists are predicting the economy, which they believe is already in recession, contracted in the first quarter at its sharpest pace since World War II.
Weekly jobless claims, the most timely data on the economy’s health, are being closely watched for clues on the depth of the downturn, when the waves of layoffs may let up and when a recovery might start.
5:56pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh chief secretary briefed on provincial coronavirus relief fund
Sindh chief secretary held a briefing regarding the coronavirus relief fund set up by the provincial government, said his spokesperson on Thursday.
In the meeting, the official was informed so far 948 people have contributed in Rs3.14 billion gathered in the fund.
During the meeting, the chief secretary was informed that Rs 410 million has been approved for buying equipment for the field hospital set up at Karachi’s Expo Centre. He was also told that Rs0.3 billion has been used to upgrade the ICUs of hospitals and buying medical equipment.
5:43pm - Telenor allocates Rs1.6 bln for corona relief
Cellular service provider Telenor has announced that it has allocated Rs1.6 billion to provide relief during the coronavirus outbreak, announced the company.
“A major chunk of our cash contribution, besides our contribution through services, includes personal protective equipment for our frontline soldiers and opening avenues for online learning opportunities to equip Pakistan for a digital future,” Tweeted Telenor Pakistan CEO Irfan Wahab Khan.
Khan stated that the company has not thought twice when it comes to giving back to the nation. He also shared that employees of the company have also contributed towards the cause.
5:33pm - Sibi, Pakistan — DHO says dismisses reports of coronavirus patient in district
District Health Officer of Sibi Dr Akbar Songi has clarified that they are yet to report a coronavirus patient in the district.
“All samples sent for tests have come negative,” the DHO was quoted by the twitter account of Balochistan government.
5:27pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — UAE assures SAPM Bukhari of taking care of Pakistanis
The UAE government has assured Special Assistant to PM for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari that they will take care of the Pakistani workers in the country.
The SAPM was given the assurance by UAE minister for Human Resources and Emiratisation Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, said a notification issued by the ministry for overseas Pakistanis.
The statement added that UAE has also decided to extend the visa of Pakistanis in UAE. It added that the UAE official has assured SAPM Bukhari that Pakistanis fired by their employees will get their complete salaries.
The UAE minister also assured that UAE companies will provide the Pakistanis with expenses to buy air ticket back to Pakistan.
5:12pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab govt not open Ramzan Bazars this year: spokesperson
Punjab government has decided not to open up Ramzan Bazar’s this year to stop the gathering of people in the province, announced government spokesperson Musarrat Cheema.
“Subsidy will directly be provided to needy families. CM Punjab has directed to issue guidelines and procedures to ensure transparency in this operation,” tweeted Cheema.
5:07pm - Karachi, Pakistan — PPP playing positive role in coronavirus awareness campaign: Bilawal
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that his party workers were playing a positive role to spread awareness regarding the coronavirus.
In a meeting with PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, Bilawal urged his party workers to continue spreading the awareness campaign against coronavirus.
5:01pm - Rawalpindi, Pakistan — President Alvi urges nation to unite against coronavirus
President Arif Alvi has appealed to the nation to unite and be disciplined in the fight against the coronavirus, reported Radio Pakistan.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with distribution of ration boxes amongst coolies (loaders) of Pakistan Railways, in Rawalpindi, he expressed satisfaction that government's measures have helped control the spread of the pandemic.
He said the government has taken the right decision to relax the lockdown to keep the economy afloat. He, however, asked the people to continue to follow the precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.
4:59pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran chairs NCOC meeting
A meeting of the National Command and Control Centre is underway with PM Imran Khan in the chair.
According to sources, the prime minister will be briefed on the coronavirus situation in the country.
4:52pm - WWII veteran raises $15mln for health workers in UK
4:45pm - Lahore, Pakistan — 40 Pakistanis to return from Wagah Border
Some 40 Pakistanis will return to Pakistan from India through the Wagah border, which will be especially be opened for them.
4:32pm - Abuja, Nigeria — 18 killed by Nigeria security forces over virus lockdown: rights body
Nigerian security agents have killed 18 people in their enforcement of measures to curb coronavirus, a toll higher than that inflicted by the disease itself, the country´s human rights body said.
The National Human Rights Commission said in a report late on Wednesday "there were 8 documented incidents of extrajudicial killings leading to 18 deaths."
4:27pm - Sydney, Australia — to retain coronavirus curbs for at least another four weeks
Australia will retain curbs on public movement for at least four more weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, dashing speculation the sustained low growth in new cases could spur a quicker return to normal.
Australia has avoided the high numbers of coronavirus casualties reported in other countries around the world after closing its borders and imposing strict "social distancing" measures for the past month.
Restaurants, bars and other "non-essential" businesses have closed and public gatherings of more than two people have been banned under the threat of fines and even prison - measures that are expected to double the unemployment rate by mid-year.
In response, the daily growth rate of reported new infections has steadied in the low percentage single digits, from about 25% several weeks ago, for a total of about 6,500 infections, including 63 deaths.
4:24pm - Zurich, Switzerland — Swiss ready to back debt relief for poor countries
Switzerland backs a proposal by the International Monetary Fund to grant debt relief to poor countries to help them respond to the coronavirus pandemic, its government said on Thursday.
The IMF is looking to triple its concessional financing for the poorest countries to over $18 billion, its Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Wednesday.
"Switzerland is... prepared in principle to support the initiative launched by the IMF and the World Bank to temporarily suspend debt service payments for poorer countries," the cabinet in Bern said in a statement.
"This is intended to create fiscal space for severely affected poorer countries for urgent expenditure in the fight against COVID-19."
3:20pm Madrid, Spain — Spain's death toll from coronavirus rises to 19,130
The total number of people who have died from the new coronavirus in Spain rose to 19,130, the Spanish health ministry said on Thursday.
Over the past 24 hours, 551 people died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, up from 523 the previous day, the ministry said.
The overall number of cases of those infected in the country rose to 182,816, from 177,633 on Wednesday.
3:18pm - Tehran, Iran — Iran's coronavirus death toll rises by 92 to 4,869: health official
Iran’s new coronavirus death toll has risen by 92 to reach 4,869, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Thursday.
Iran’s total number of cases of people infected with the new coronavirus has reached 77,995, Jahanpur said.
3:00pm - London, United Kingdom — Europe COVID-19 cases almost at 1 million, coming weeks "critical": WHO
Europe is currently in the eye of the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of cases nearing a million, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) European regional director said on Thursday.
"Case numbers across the region continue to climb. In the past 10 days, the number of cases reported in Europe has nearly doubled to close to 1 million," the WHO's Hans Kluge told reporters in an online briefing.
More than 84,000 people in Europe had died in the epidemic, he said.
"The storm clouds of this pandemic still hang heavily over the European region," Kluge said. While some countries were entering a period where they may be able to ease restrictions gradually, "there is no fast trackback to normal".
2:22pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran welcomes G20 decision on debt relief
Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed the G20 countries decision to give debt relief to the developing nations.
PM Imran in a meeting with Finance Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also welcomed the IMF and World Bank’s decision to provide debt relief.
During the meeting, Shaikh also briefed the PM on the additional $1.4 billion relief being provided by the IMF. He also gave the PM update on the government’s relief package.
2:14pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — NCOC approves export of sanitizers and textile masks: adviser
The National Command and Operations Centre today approved the export of sanitizer and textile masks, announced Adviser to PM on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.
However, the adviser clarified that the approval for exporting N-95 and surgical masks has not been granted. He shared that the necessary “documentation details” will be issued in the next few days.
Food delivery app Foodpanda resumes essential delivery operations in Karachi
1:27pm — Manila, Philippines — Philippines reports 13 new deaths, 207 more infections
The Philippine health ministry on Thursday reported 13 new coronavirus deaths and 207 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have reached 362 while infections have increased to 5,660, with the Philippines recording the most cases in Southeast Asian nations. But 82 patients have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 435, it added.
1:13pm - Quetta, Pakistan – Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rise to 6,865
Confirmed cases in the country rose to 6,865 on Thursday after new cases were reported in Balochistan.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani, five new cases were reported in the province taking the provincial tally to 285. He also clarified that one case was reported incorrectly on Wednesday.
1:05pm - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran summons NCOC officials for briefing
Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre at the PM House today to review the coronavirus situation in the country.
In the meeting, federal minister Asad Umar, NDMA officials and experts will present facts to the premier. The PM will also be briefed on the percentage of spread in the virus and treatment facilities in the country.
12:55pm - Lahore, Pakistan — CM Buzdar to review coronavirus situation, announce Ramzan package
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar is expected to give approval to the provincial Ramzan package sources informed Geo News.
The sources added that today’s cabinet meeting will be attended by provincial food minister Aleem Khan and chief secretary of the province. In the meeting, the ministers and the bureaucracy will advise the CM on the Ramzan package.
According to sources, the CM will announce the Ramzan package after the meeting. They added that the meeting will also review the coronavirus situation across the province.
12:44pm - United Nations, USA — Only a vaccine will allow return to 'normalcy': UN chief
A COVID-19 vaccine may be the only thing that can bring back "normalcy," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, hoping for just that before the end of the year.
"A safe and effective vaccine may be the only tool that can return the world to a sense of 'normalcy,' saving millions of lives and countless trillions of dollars," he added during a video conference with the 50 or so African countries that are members of the United Nations.
He called for its accelerated development and accessibility to all, adding it must have a "universal global benefit" and "allow us to control the pandemic."
"We need an ambitious effort to ensure that international stakeholders operate through a harmonized, integrated and leveraged approach to maximise the speed and scale needed for the universal deployment of such a vaccine by the end of 2020," he insisted.
12:31pm — Karachi, Pakistan – Nationwide tally of recovered patients rise to 1,648
Number of recovered cases in the country rose to 1,648 after more people recovered from the virus in Sindh.
12:31pm - Karachi, Pakistan – Nationwide tally of recovered cases rise to 6,861
Confirmed cases in the country rose to 6,861 on Thursday after new cases were reported in Sindh.
According to Sindh government spokesperson, 340 new cases were reported in Sindh taking the provincial tally to 2,008.
12:31pm — Karachi, Pakistan – Death toll rises to 128 in Pakistan
The death toll from the novel coronavirus rose to 128 in the country after four more deaths were reported in Sindh.
12:10pm — Tokyo, Japan — Pandemic to bring Asia's 2020 growth to halt for 1st time in 60 years: IMF
Asia's economic growth this year will grind to a halt for the first time in 60 years, as the coronavirus crisis takes an "unprecedented" toll on the region's service sector and major export destinations, the IMF said on Thursday.
"These are highly uncertain and challenging times for the global economy. The Asia-Pacific region is no exception," Changyong Rhee, director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department told a virtual news briefing.
"This is not a time for business as usual. Asian countries need to use all policy instruments in their toolkits."
While Asia is set to fare better than other regions suffering economic contractions, the projection is worse than the 4.7% average growth rates throughout the global financial crisis, and the 1.3% increase during the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, the IMF said.
The IMF expects a 7.6% expansion in Asian economic growth next year on the assumption that containment policies succeed, but added the outlook was highly uncertain.
12:00pm — London, UK — IMF boss says UK should seek longer Brexit transition
Britain should ask for an extension to its post-Brexit transition period to ease uncertainty at a time when the world economy is being hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, the head of the International Monetary Fund said.
"It is tough as it is. Let's not make it any tougher," Kristalina Georgieva told BBC radio in comments broadcast on Thursday.
"My advice would be to seek ways in which this element of uncertainty is reduced in the interests of everybody, of the UK, of the EU, the whole world."
11:49am - Berlin, Germany — Germany's coronavirus cases rise by 2,866, deaths by 315
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,866 to 130,450, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Thursday, meaning the number of new infections rose for a second consecutive day.
The reported death toll has risen by 315 to 3,569, the tally showed.
11:47am - Islamabad, Pakistan — PM Imran asks authorities to set up quarantine centre at Torkham
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered that a quarantine centre should be established near the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Moeed Yusuf told Chairman of Senate’s standing committee on SAFRON Taj Afridi in a telephone conversation. The SAPM was briefing the senator on PM’s actions after he sent a letter and told the PM about the situation aced by Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan.
The SAPM told the senator that the stranded Pakistanis will be brought back home in the coming week, adding that they will be kept in isolation for seven days and then allowed to go to their homes.
“Pakistanis stuck at Torkham and Chaman border will soon be brought back,” Yusuf assured the senator.
11:28am - Rs1.49 bln deposited in PM's corona relief fund: PTI senator
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan announced that Rs1.49 billion have been deposited in PM Corona relief fund in the first 15 days.
The senator thanks the Pakistanis for their generosity, adding that they have inspired many others to come forward and contribute in the fund.
11:13am - Global coronavirus cases top 2 million, confirmed cases rise to 136,600
Reported cases of the coronavirus crossed 2.05 million globally and more than 136,600 people have died, according to a Reuters tally on Thursday.
11:07am — Lahore, Pakistan – Nationwide tally of recovered cases rise to 1,632
Number of recovered cases in the country rose to 1,632 after more people recovered from the virus in Punjab.
11:07am — Lahore, Pakistan – Nationwide tally of confirmed cases rise to 6,521
Confirmed cases in the country rose to 6,521 on Thursday after new cases were reported in Punjab.
According to Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, 216 new cases were reported in Punjab taking the provincial tally to 3,232.
10:58am — Peshawar, Pakistan — Jhagra assures traders of finalising a road map for opening up of businesses
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimur Jhagra assured the traders of the province that the government will develop a road map this week for them to reopen their businesses.
Jhagra, in a tweet, shared that he held a marathon session with the traders at the KP secretariat and listened to their problems at “length”.
“It was important to listen to them at length because we feel their pain,” said the minister. He also thanked all the traders for working with the government.
“The one thing we cannot afford as a country at this point is unrest. Why? Because it means people together in an uncontrolled manner, and that will put lives at risk. Let no one play politics with lives,” said Jhagra.
The minister assured them that for the government finding a way for their businesses to run was a “priority”.
“Everyone in the country and most of the world is going through a difficult time as never experienced before in our lives,” the minister said.
10:39am - Sydney, Australia — Australia says restrictions to continue at least four more weeks
Australia will keep in place restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus for at least four more weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, despite signs that Canberra has been successful in slowing infection rates.
Morrison said Australia will over the next month expand testing, improve its capacity to trace contacts of known coronavirus cases, and plan a response to any further local outbreaks.
Morrison said these three steps will be finished within four weeks, and Australia will then review the restrictions that include curtailing the movements of residents, and the closures of schools, restaurants and pubs.
10:15am — Islamabad, Pakistan — FM Qureshi holds telephonic conversation with Chinese counterpart on virus situation
Pakistan and China on Wednesday reiterated their resolve to continue coordinated consultations to overcome the challenge posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Radio Pakistan reported.
An understanding to this effect came during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday.
The two leaders discussed matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation, and prevailing coronavirus situation at the regional and international level.
10:00am — Rome, Italy — Mother travels a mile for good internet connection so son can take online classes
9:50am — Washington, United States — Trump to ease lockdown, saying virus cases have 'passed peak'
President Donald Trump vowed to unveil plans to reopen the world's top economy, claiming the US had “passed the peak” of new coronavirus cases, even as the country logged a record number of deaths from the disease, AFP reported.
A bullish Trump told reporters his “aggressive strategy” against the virus was working and that “the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases". He promised swift “guidelines” on reopening parts of the country, suggesting less affected states could ease restrictions before May 1.
9:45am — Paris, France — Coronavirus to have 'profound' impact on mental health, say experts
Experts have warned that the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have a "profound and pervasive impact" on global mental health as billions struggle to cope with isolated living and anxiety spikes, AFP reported.
In a paper published in Lancet Psychiatry, a panel of 24 specialists call for more funding for research into the impacts COVID-19 may have on society's mental well-being.
Two accompanying surveys of the British public showed that most people questioned had experienced heightened anxiety and fear of becoming mentally unwell since the pandemic struck.
9:30am — Lahore, Pakistan — Six more deaths reported, taking provincial virus death toll to 34
The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus in Punjab rose by six on Thursday. The total number of deaths from the virus across the province rose to 34 as a result, Geo News reported.
9:15am — Lahore, Pakistan — Cash payments to under-privileged continue under Ehsaas programme
The cash payments to help the under-privileged across Punjab continued on Thursday under the Ehsaas Kafalat programme. 31 centres in Lahore are disbursing cash payments to the under-privileged as part of the initiative.
More than 10,000 people were provided with Rs12,000 each under the programme on Wednesday in Lahore. The deputy commissioner of the city told the media that more than 40,000 people had been given cash payments in five days under the programme.
9:00am — Karachi, Pakistan — Virus lockdown enters 25th straight day
The lockdown imposed in Sindh to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus entered the 25th straight day on Thursday, with some areas of Karachi, where a high number of confirmed virus cases have been reported, sealed on orders of the provincial administration.
Law enforcement personnel were deployed in several parts of the city to enforce the measures. Traffic on the roads remained less than usual, with only essential services and certain select businesses resuming operations on Wednesday after a two-week hiatus.
8:45am — Robots ride to food delivery rescue
8:30am — Beijing, China — Drop in imported coronavirus cases but local infections rise
China reported on Thursday fewer new coronavirus cases involving travellers arriving from overseas, but locally transmitted infections rose, with the Chinese capital seeing new local cases for the first time in more than three weeks, Reuters reported.
New imported cases dropped to 34 on Wednesday from 36 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said, down for the third straight day, amid string
