NCOC identifies 92 virus hotspots in 20 cities.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Sunday revealed that the National Command and Operation Centre identified 92 hotspots in twenty cities of the country.

In a tweet on Sunday, he said that this covers 40 percent of all active cases and three percent of country's population. The Minister said, 'We can have substantial impact on disease while minimising disruption in livelihood of citizens.' He said effective lockdown of hotspots can make a decisive difference.

On the other hand, the authorities confirmed at least 4,951 new coronavirus cases in the country during the last twenty four hours, taking the total tally to 176,617. These include 65739 in Punjab, 67353 in Sindh, 21444 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 9328 Balochistan, 10662 Islamabad, 1278 Gilgit Baltistan and 813 in Azad Kashmir. The death toll from the virus stands at 3501 with 119 deaths reported over the last twenty four hours. At least 28,855 corona tests were carried out during this period. So far, 67,892 patients have recovered from the disease.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza has asked the people to initiate special care for their elders in the face of coronavirus pandemic.

While briefing media here on Sunday, he stressed the need for wearing face mask, observing social distancing, frequent hand washing, to stay safe from the COVID-19. He said so far seventy-two percent were over fifty years of age who have lost their lives due to coronavirus infection. He said senior citizens should avoid public transport and crowded places. Highlighting the most vulnerable groups of population during the pandemic, Mirza said that it was incumbent upon the younger...