–19 people die across country as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc
–CM Murad urges people to practice social distancing, says COVID-19 kills one patient daily
–Sindh govt finalises SOPs to open businesses, will allow them to operate for eight hours twice a week
KARACHI: As coronavirus continues to infect hundreds across the country, Sindh on Sunday recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths, with eight people losing their lives to the deadly disease, taking the provincial toll to 56 since the outbreak.
The total number of cases stood at 8,348 with 168 deaths and 1,868 recoveries. Punjab had 3,822 cases, the highest among all provinces and autonomous areas, while Sindh had 2,537 cases, Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) 1,137 cases, Balochistan 376 cases, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 257 cases, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 171 cases, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 48 cases.
In a video message, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah urged the nation to take precautionary measures to defeat the contagion. The statistics showed that one patient was dying every day, therefore, it is important for the public to adopt precautionary measures, the CM added.
“The first patient had died on March 19 and after that the highest number of deaths reported in a day was on April 11 when six patients had passed away. However, Sunday’s death toll is even higher, which is quite saddening and painful,” he said.
“May God have mercy on us and save our people from this novel virus,” he added.
The chief minister said that during the last 24 hours, 1,520 tests were conducted across the province, out of which 182 people tested positive for the virus. He said that so far 24,458 have been conducted in the province, adding that cases are also surging along with the government’s ability to conduct more tests.
While talking about the patients currently undergoing treatment, he said that 1,066 patients were isolated at their homes, while 492 were at isolation centres and 299 were admitted at different hospitals. 625 people have recovered so far, he added.
The chief minister said that 4,346 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat were tested, out of which 494 tested positive for the virus. Three members of the Tableeghi Jamaat have recovered so far and they have been sent to their homes, he added.
Speaking about the flight that brought 176 Pakistanis home, he said, “By the grace of God, 170 Oman-based Pakistanis tested negative for the virus while we are awaiting the results of the remaining six.” He added that men had been kept at Labour Colony while the women were housed in Ramada Hotel at the airport.
He added that the entire world is fighting against the virus by adopting precautionary measures. “We are a Muslim nation that believes in hygiene and purity, therefore, it is required that we practice these principles of Islam,” he added.
In his concluding remarks, the chief minister urged the people to adopt social distancing even while interacting with their family members. “When anyone returns to their home, they must wash hands, change clothes and preferably take a shower to protect their family members from the virus,” he said.
Speaking about the lockdown, he said that he would relax the lockdown soon but life would not go back to normal. “All of us have to adopt precautionary measures in our lives and these precautions should continue till a cure for this virus is discovered,” he said.
GOVT FINALISES SOPs FOR BUSINESSES:
Separately, the Sindh government finalised the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for businesses to continue operations during the lockdown.
According to reports, businesses have been classified into three categories, each further divided into four sections except one, which comprised five subsections. Each sector under every category would be allowed to operate for eight hours twice a week, given that they follow all established SOPs. In case of any violation of the SOPs, the relevant markets or shops would be sealed, the reports claimed.
Moreover, under the new guidelines, grocery stores, utility stores, and meat shops are to remain closed two days a week and only medical stores, milk shops and bakeries have been permitted to operate through the week.
Besides, the sources disclosed that separate SOPs would be devised for Eid shopping, which would likely be permitted from mid-Ramzan.
As per the newly framed SOPs, car showrooms, mechanic shops and other businesses associated with the automobile sector have been clubbed together and will operate on the same day. Similarly, garments and cloth shops, boutiques, tailoring shops, embroidery shops, and other relevant businesses have been put in the same category.
