More than 420 coronavirus cases across country.

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 421 on Thursday, after new cases were reported in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Globally, 176 countries have been affected, more than 9,000 people have died and more than 220,000 infected by the disease as it spreads rapidly to new territories. The epicentre of the outbreak has now shifted to Europe, which is recording a rapid rise in new cases every day. Disclaimer: There may be some discrepancy in the number of confirmed cases reported at the country level due to differences in figures quoted by federal and provincial authorities. Balochistan government spokesperson, Liaquat Shahwani has confirmed 31 new cases in the province, taking its total to 76.

"The new patients are being taken to Sheikh Zayed Hospital," he said. Shahwani said that the new cases had emerged from the Mian Ghundi quarantine centre. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar has just confirmed that China has provided Pakistan a $4-million grant alongside medical face masks and much-needed equipment, including ventilators. "They...