Nationwide coronavirus tally soars to 2,637; death toll at 40.

LAHORE: The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients Friday crossed 2,600, while six more deaths were reported in the country, taking the total death toll so far to 40.

The total number of cases crossed 1,000 mark in Punjab as 155 more cases were confirmed on Friday, taking the provincial tally to 1069. Punjab's Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department confirmed that three of the new cases were reported from Lahore's Camp Jail.

Sindh Health and Population Welfare Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho confirmed three more deaths in the province on Friday. A 54-year-old patient in Hyderabad had tested positive earlier in the day. He had gotten infected through local transmission. The patient had a neurological disorder which had compromised his immune system. He passed away at a hospital.

Earlier, the provincial government recorded two more deaths from the novel coronavirus. Meeran Yousuf, the media coordinator to the Sindh health minister, said both patients were residents of Karachi and had tested positive on April 1. One patient, who was 60 years of age, had heart problems and was placed on a ventilator. The other patient, who was 82, had renal issues.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Friday said there has been an 87 per cent rise in coronavirus cases across the province in the last 17-18 days. "This is alarming and more focused and collective efforts are needed to control the spread of the pandemic," he added.

Balochistan health department confirmed six new cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the provincial tally to 175 on Friday. According to the provincial government spokesperson, Liaquat Shahwani, nine of the affected persons are doctors. He said 19 of the patients have recovered, while one has passed away. The remaining are under treatment at various hospitals in the province.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Directorate General Health Services also confirmed 32 new cases of coronavirus in the province, taking the provincial tally to 343.

It has also confirmed two new deaths - one each in Swat and Mansehra.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Ajmal Wazir said that the provincial government will take care of the Tableeghi Jamaat members currently in the province. "We will make sure they don't suffer at...