Coronavirus: Pak reports 78 more fatalities, death toll reaches 1,395; total cases nears 67,500-mark

The coronavirus pandemic turned grimmer in Pakistan with 78 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,395, while the total cases of the deadly viral infection nears 67,500-mark, the health ministry said on Saturday.

According to health officials, 532,037 COVID-19 tests, including 12,020 on Friday, were conducted so far in the country.

With 2,429 new coronavirus cases detected in the last 24 hours, the total tally now stands at 66,457, the ministry said.

Sindh reported the maximum number of 26,113 coronavirus cases, followed by 24,104 in Punjab, 9,067 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 4,087 in Balochistan, 2,192 in Islamabad, 660 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 234 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

On the positive side, 24,131 patients have recovered, the ministry said.

Minister of State for Frontier Regions and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi on late Friday night tweeted that he was tested positive for the virus.

"I have isolated myself in home as directed by the doctors," he said.

Meanwhile, the UK has announced to provide an additional assistance of 4.39 million pounds to cash-strapped Pakistan to tide over the coronavirus crisis. In April, the UK has provided a fund of 2.67 million pounds to Pakistan to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

"Pakistan is showing international leadership in its Coronavirus response; Great Britain announces £4.39m of further support," British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner tweeted on Friday.

He said the package will support emergency response systems and provide assistance to food security, sanitation and hygiene, mental health and psychological issues.