Pakistan on Friday confirmed 78 deaths in a single day by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 221,896. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 4,551. According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 4,087 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours. Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Till now 89,225 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 78,956 in Punjab, 27,170 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10,666 in Balochistan, 13,195 in Islamabad, 1,524 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 1,160 in Azad Kashmir. Furthermore, 1,819 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 1,437 in Sindh, 983 in KP, 122 in Balochistan, 129 in Islamabad, 28 in GB and 33 in Azad Kashmir. Patients are under treatment at quarantine centres of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available. According to the CM, 10027 samples were tested which detected 1496 cases constituting 15 percent result. The government has tested 481050 samples which detected 90721 cases all over Sindh, of them 50908 have recovered, including 982 overnight. “The recovery rate of coronavirus patients in Sindh stands at 56. Percent,” Shah said. The statement says, 22 more patients of COVID-19 died lifting the death toll to 1459 that constituted 1.6 percent death rate. The chief minister said that at present 38354 patients were under treatment, of them 36452 in home isolation, 298 at Isolation Centers and 1604 at different hospitals. He added that out of 1604 hospitalized patients, 653 were in critical condition, 104 on ventilators while 847 stated to be stable. The CM said that out of 1496 new cases of coronavirus, Karachi has 750 cases, including East 217, South 182, Central 129, Malir 82, Korangi 79 and West 61. He added that Sukkur has 44 new cases, Sanghar 44, Badin 41, Ghotki 40, Khairpur 29, Thatta 26, Kambar 22, Shaheed Benazirabad 17, Jamshoro and Shikarpur 11 each, Kashmore seven, Larkana six, Dadu and Naushehroferoze five each, Jacobabad four, Umerkot three, Tando Allahyar two, Tando Mohammad Khan Khan and Mirpurkhas have one each. The chief minister urged people of Sindh to stay safe by observing the SOPs the government has issued in consultation with WHO and other experts. Also, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but was feeling “strong and energetic”. In a tweet, Qureshi said that he had a slight fever earlier today and had immediately quarantined himself at home. “I have now tested positive for Covid-19. By the grace of Allah, I feel strong and energetic. I will continue to carry on my duties from home. Please keep me in your prayers.” Also, Punjab has recorded 1,216 new cases over the past 24 hours, according to the government’s Covid-19 portal. The province also recorded 35 new deaths. The total number of cases in Punjab is now 78,956 while the death toll is 1,819. As of now, Punjab has 43,351 active cases, according to government’s figures. Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have collectively reported 151 new cases and one death over the past 24 hours, the government’s Covid-19 portal said. The federal capital recorded 113 new cases, while GB reported 13. AJK reported 25 new cases and one death. No casualties were reported in Islamabad and GB. KP has reported 336 Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths. As many as 336 new cases confirmed (6 Int’l flights) taking total to 27,506. 19 more lives were lost (7 Peshawar, 4 Dir Lower, 3 Abbottabad, 2 Malakand, 1 Chitral Lower, 1 Bajaur, 1 D I Khan) taking total to 1,002. 805 patients recovered taking tally to 15,520. 156,253 total tests conducted. Azad Kashmir recorded the first death of a doctor in the coronavirus pandemic as Dr Ikhlaq breathed his last at PIMS, Islamabad on Friday. The deceased healthcare professional was working at the DHQ Hospital Kotli as a medical specialist. He was infected by the deadly virus two weeks ago and later shifted to the federal capital’s top hospital due to his worsening condition. Also, Balochistan has reported 51 more cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the provincial tally to 10,717. The death toll in the province currently stands at 122.