ISLAMABAD: As many as 2,521 new coronavirus cases and 74 deaths were reported in the country over the past 24 hours, taking the national tally of cases to 248,872  and fatalities to 5,197.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre, 2,521 new cases were detected after 24,211 tests were conducted in the previous 24 hours.

86,975 COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment while 156,700 patients have recuperated from the disease. 15,626,38 tests have been conducted across the country so far.

‘Pay close attention to Covid-19 data’

World Health Organization (WHO) said countries may have to lockdown again as coronavirus cases continue to spike worldwide.

Speaking at a virtual conference in Geneva, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program Dr. Michael Ryan said we all want to avoid whole countries going back into total lockdown but there may be situations in which that is the only option.

He said once lockdowns are ended there is always the risk that the disease could bounce back.

The WHO advised countries to open slowly, pay close attention to their data and proceed cautiously as they reopen.