Lahore/Karachi (Staff Report/Agencies): The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan on Monday reached 94 after at least 25 more cases were reported in Karachi and one from Hyderabad.
On Sunday, Punjab reported its first case of COVID-19, pushing the tally in Pakistan to 53.
A 54-year-old patient who returned from the United Kingdom on March 10 tested positive at a Lahore’s Mayo Hospital.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was "personally overseeing measures" to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), banning public gatherings in wake of a surge in novel coronavirus cases across the country.
Section 144 of the CrPc allows the State to issue temporary orders in case of emergencies.
Under Section 144, the provincial government banned public gatherings including weddings, religious congregations, festivals, and sports festivals. The government has also shut down all educational institutions including Madrassahs and postponed examinations. It also prohibited hoarding and profiteering of hand sanitizers.
Globally, more than 5,800 people have died and more than 156,000 have been infected by COVID-19 as the disease spreads rapidly in new territories. The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases every day.