ISLAMABAD: The number of recoveries from COVID-19 continues to increase across the country with 210,468 patients so far recovered from the disease.

According to the latest statistics, 1332 new coronavirus cases were reported in the country during the last 24 hours taking the tally to 267,428.

These include 114,104 in Sindh, 90,816 in Punjab, 32,523 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11,469 in Balochistan, 14,701 in Islamabad, 1,878 Gilgit-Baltistan and 1,937 in Azad Kashmir.

Meanwhile, 38 patients died of the virus during the last 24 hours taking the death toll to 5677.

18,331 corona tests were carried out during this period.

‘After smart lockdown Pakistan witnessing downturn in COVID-19’

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said with the steps being taken by the government and especially after smart lockdown in various cities, Pakistan was witnessing a downturn in the COVID-19 pandemic and recovered cases had been outnumbering new cases.

He said this during telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The foreign minister thanked Sheikh Abdullah for enquiring about his health, his prayers and best wishes. He also apprised his UAE counterpart about the latest situation of the outbreak in Pakistan.

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He also congratulated the leadership and the people of the UAE on successful launch of the first Arab interplanetary Mission. He conveyed that the UAE’s Mars Mission (Hope Probe) was a pride for all Muslims and a great contribution to human knowledge.

The UAE Foreign Minister appreciated the response of the Pakistan government in tackling the pandemic.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah highlighted efforts of the UAE government in controlling the pandemic and shared that the UAE is engaged with efforts for working on developing vaccine for the virus in collaboration with its international partners.

The two ministers agreed to meet as soon as the pandemic is over.