Surge In Punjab Cases
1,356 new cases reported in Punjab with Lahore alone account for 816 in the past 24 hours as 3 more including a policeman succumb to the virus. The trend of the growing rate of infections and an increasing number of new cases follow reports of flagrant violations of SOPs since the lifting of the lockdown in Punjab.
Sindh Amends Epidemic Ordinance
The Sindh government has promulgated the Sindh Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance 2020, which authorizes assistant and deputy commissioners to impose fines on those guilty of violating SOPs, and increases the fine for violations from Rs. 3000, to a minimum of Rs. 200,000 and a maximum of Rs. 1 million.
Sindh Seals Markets
The Sindh government sealed several markets due to unprecedented levels of SOP violations by citizens and traders. Meanwhile, the Punjab government allows gyms, barbershops, and salons to reopen under strict SOPs. On May 12, a record 2,255 infections were reported across the country, a nearly 98% increase from cases reported on May 11
UN Reports Paint Grim Picture For Pakistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released separate situation reports highlighting a grim upwards trend in infections in Pakistan. The reports state that 1,700 new cases on average are being received on a daily basis since May 9. Local transmissions are recorded at upward of 80% across all 4 provinces, with 93% in Balochistan, 92% in Sindh, 84% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 85% in Punjab, 83% in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 63% in Gilgit Baltistan.
