March 27: COVID-19 restrictions won't affect transportation of food items, says PM Imran.

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR / QUETTA / LAHORE -- The novel coronavirus - which originated in the central China city of Wuhan towards the end of December 2019 - has spread to all continents excluding Antarctica. The COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the mysterious contagion has so far killed thousands of people and infected tens of thousands of others across the globe.

Though the deadly infestation has been contained by the Chinese government in Wuhan, the virus has now spread elsewhere, especially in Europe and the United States, with the World Health Organisation declaring Europe as the new epicentre of the viral disease.

Pakistan, despite its close proximity with China, remained unscathed until February 26 when a young man from Karachi tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had returned from Iran - one of the worst-hit countries.

After a brief pause following the first case, COVID-19 cases witnessed a sharp surge as more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive.

The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients has crossed 1,350 with 442 cases in Sindh, 490 in Punjab, 131 in Balochistan, 180 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 103 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 27 in Islamabad and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The virus has claimed 11 lives in Pakistan. On the other hand, 25 patients have fully recovered.

Since the situation remains fluid, the stats are changing fast and we're updating them accordingly.

Follow The Express Tribune's live coverage of the pandemic here.

Lockdown

On March 23, the federal government green-lighted military in aid of civil power under Article 245 read with Section 131(A) of CrPc across the country. DG ISPR Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar briefed media on the guidelines of the lockdown in a news conference.

The decision came a day after PM Imran Khan categorically ruled out lockdown owing to the economic situation and urged citizens to self-quarantine.

Much of the country was already under lockdown as part of sweeping measures to prevent the...