Pakistan 11th Most Infected Country
According to data issued by the John Hopkins University, Pakistan has overtaken Italy to become the 11th most infected country in the world with 246,351 confirmed cases as of July 11. To date, Italy has approximately 234,000 confirmed cases, 194,000 of which are recovered cases while fatalities sit at 34,938. In comparison, Pakistan has 153,134 recoveries but far fewer fatalities with only 5,123 deaths confirmed so far, making it the 72nd most affected country in terms of loss of human life due to the pandemic.
Rawalpindi Areas Sealed
Rawalpindi district administration secures permission to seal Dhoke Khabba, Gulistan Colony and Rage Road, Lane No. 4, PIA Colony in Rawalpindi from the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. However, the Punjab government prompted a two week lockdown in the identified hotspots starting from July 10. A total of 52 cases emerged from amongst 84,470 residents in the now sealed areas. According to district authorities, there are no plans to seal any more areas till July 24.
COVID-19 Fatalities in KP Decline
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case fatality rate (CFR) drops to 3.6% from 6% over the course of two weeks. Prior to this notable decline in fatalities, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributed roughly 20% to the total COVID-19 deaths in the country. While the current CFR is still higher than the national average of 2.8%, Peshawar’s CFR now stands at 1.5%, compared to 5.3% in Karachi, 2.6% in Lahore, and 3.0% in Quetta.
Meanwhile, as 13 more succumb to the virus in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the past two days despite declining case positivity, the death count continues to soar especially in Islamabad. While Rawalpindi’s CFR middles at 1.6%, Islamabad’s peaks at 4.1%.
Qatar Airways Mandates Tests for Pakistani Flights
Qatar Airways introduces policy for Pakistanis traveling abroad to present a negative COVID-19 test result issued by a certified laboratory in order to fly with the airlines. Per the new guidelines, the test result must be issued within the past 72 hours, while children under 12 years of age are exempted from presenting test results if they are accompanied by family members. In a statement issued by Qatar Airways, the new policy is to ensure safe travel for all passengers.
