ISLAMABAD: An adviser to Uzman Buzdar, the chief minister of Punjab, said on Monday the leader of Pakistan’s largest province had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Pakistan recorded 1,792 new coronavirus cases countrywide over the last 24 hours as a second wave of the epidemic gathers momentum, data released on Monday showed. Total deaths in the last 24 hours stood at 62.
“CM Punjab @UsmanAKBuzdar has tested positive for COVID-19,” Azhar Mashwani, Buzdar’s adviser on digital media, said on Twitter. “He had mild symptoms (Fever and Flu) since last night and in self-isolation as per the advice of doctors.”
CM Punjab @UsmanAKBuzdar has tested positive for COVID-19.
He had mild symptoms (Fever and Flu) since last night and in self-isolation as per the advice of Doctors.Request for prayers for early recovery.
— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) December 21, 2020
Punjab lawmaker Abdul Aleem Khan tweeted:
Prayers for the speedy recovery of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar. May Allah grant them health and healing.”
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب عثمان بزدار کی جلد از جلد صحت یابی کے لئے دعا گو ہیں۔ اللہ تعالیٰ ان کو صحت و شفا عطا فرمائے۔ آمین۔
— Abdul Aleem Khan (@aleemkhan_pti) December 21, 2020
After a peak of over 6,800 daily infections in June, the number fell to a low of 213 in August, and remained below 700 for most of the last three months. But last month, the government announced that a second wave of the coronavirus had arrived, putting in place new guidelines, including mandatory face masks in public places and banning indoor dining at restaurants. Schools across the country have also been shut down, or have switched to online classes, until mid-January.
Earlier this month, the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out a complete lockdown and decided to continue its smart lockdown policy with strict implementation of safety rules given by the NCOC. Khan has repeatedly said Pakistan’s economy cannot afford a complete lockdown and citizens would have to “live with” strict health guidelines.
The country’s last comprehensive lockdown was lifted in May.
