ISLAMABAD: Recoveries from the novel coronavirus reached 301,288 in Pakistan on Wednesday, data from a government portal showed, as the government imposed micro-lockdowns in different parts of the country where infection numbers had ticked higher.
The South Asian country has recorded more than 316,351 cases of COVID-19 and 6,535 deaths, but has seen a slowing of numbers since June, when it recorded nearly 7,000 infections and 118 deaths in a single day.
In August, the government announced that virtually all sectors in Pakistan shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus would be reopened that month, other than schools and marriage halls which opened in September.
In March, Pakistan shut all its schools and land borders and decided to limit international flights and discourage large gatherings to try to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
But with infections and deaths down nearly 80 percent since their peak as per government records, the National Coordination Committee (NCC), the apex body set up to oversee coronavirus mitigation efforts, decided on measures to help the country return to normalcy.
Fearful of the economic and financial impact, and swayed by the acute hardship suffered by millions of poor families, Prime Minister Imran Khan has defended the lifting of the lockdown, saying the virus spread has been well below projections.
“Fake news being circulated on social media that educational institutions will be closed on Oct 15,” education minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted on Monday, as new virus cases were reported in different parts of Pakistan and micro-lockdowns imposed. “No truth in this.”
