40pc of coronavirus cases reported from 92 hotpots in 20 cities

Total people with infections  crossed 1,78,000 with 3,555 deaths

Asad Umar, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives said that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has identified 92 hotspots in 20 cities. These hotspots account for 40 per cent of the country's total Covid-19 cases. 

Talking to reporters in Islamabad, Umar said that there would be a targeted lockdown in these hotspots. "Only three per cent of the country's total population resides in these areas and will be affected by the lockdown. This is better than locking down the entire country.

 In this way the wheel of the economy will keep turning, people will not lose their livelihoods and we will be able to protect people's health. Smart lockdown in these hotspots can stop the spread of the pandemic. Following the SOPs [standard operating procedures] is essential to prevent the spread of coronavirus."

The minister said at least 189 oxygen beds were being provided to medical facilities in Islamabad and that there would be an addition of 2,100 oxygen beds by the end of July. These oxygen beds would be given to the Polyclinic Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital.

According to the official figures, total infections have crossed 1, 78,800 in the country while more than 3,500 people have now died due to the respiratory disease in the country. Sindh has reported the most number of cases, with 69,628, followed by Punjab with 65,739. The two provinces have collectively reported around 75 per cent of the country's Covid-19 caseload.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 21,444 cases and Balochistan has reported 9,328 Covid-19 cases. Federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have collectively confirmed 12,753 cases of the novel coronavirus.

The country witnessed a spike in infections and deaths in the past week, with a record 6,825 new cases reported on June 13 and 153 deaths recorded on June 19 — both statistics representing the highest jump in single-day figures since the first case was reported on February 26.

Deaths have consistently stood above a 100 for the past six days. According to the government's COVID-19 portal, more than 119 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. 

                                                          News Desk