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 7,400, global death toll goes past 145,000
Updated Friday Apr 17 2020
KARACHI / LAHORE / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 7,404 on Friday after new infections were confirmed in the country.
The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 11:51pm, April 17, is as follows:
Total confirmed cases: 7,404
• Sindh: 2,217
• Punjab: 3,391
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 993
• Balochistan: 351
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 154
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 250
• AJK: 48
Deaths: 138
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 45
• Sindh: 47
• Balochistan: 5
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 3
• Punjab: 37
• Islamabad Capital Territory: 1
Officials have recorded more than 2.18 million cases and more than 145,000 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 17
Live updates for April 18 to continue here.
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.
"Local transmission pace is increasing rapidly. It's shocking [...] Oh my people, please take care," he wrote.
11:37pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab reports one more death, taking grim total to 37 in province
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has reported one more death in the province, taking the grim total to 37.
There have been a total of 3,391 cases reported from the province, along with 672 recoveries.
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.
So far 182 have recovered from the virus and three have died.
09:53pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan's cases rise to 335
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 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
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.
