Pakistan has reported a record 990 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 17,439 with 391 deaths so far in the country, the health ministry said on Friday.
The Ministry of National Health Services said Punjab reported 6,340 cases, Sindh 6,675, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 2,627, Balochistan 1,049, Islamabad 343, Gilgit-Baltistan 339 and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir reported 66 cases.
"Another six people died in the last 24 hours, taking the total death to 391," an statement issued by the ministry said.
Among the high profile politicians tested positive for the deadly virus include Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, apart from Governor of Pakistan's southern Sindh province Imran Ismail, a very close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan
The health ministry said that so far 182,131 tests had been conducted, including 7,971 on April 30.
"There were 3,706 patients admitted in 717 hospitals with COVID-19 facilities across the country. The rest of the patients were isolated at homes," according to the ministry.
Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza said that either the end of May or middle of June could be the peak period for coronavirus in the country.
"But it can be different also as we are not sure and monitoring the situation closely, Mirza had told media on Thursday.
The health ministry said that infection was taking toll on the health professionals, as 191 more healthcare providers had tested positive.
Earlier data shared on April 23 showed that 253 healthcare workers were infected, while the new figure showed that the number increased to 444, registering 75 per cent jump.
Those infected include 216 doctors, 67 nurses and 161 other healthcare staff. So far 94 patients have recovered from the virus.
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