Pakistan has reported 148,921 known COVID-19 infections and 2,900 fatalities so far. The numbers are expected to rise at least till July.

Punjab has reported the most cases with 55,878 infections and 1,081 fatalities.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has declared Lahore a virus epicenter and has urged all Pakistanis to practice social distancing to curb the outbreak.

The federal government has identified 20 major cities that have been most affected by the virus. The government is likely to impose a lockdown in these regions and deploy Rangers personnel to ensure residents don’t roam outside unnecessarily.

Eighty neighbourhoods have already been sealed in Lahore over the rising cases. Residents of these areas would only be able to go to pharmacies. Around 70,000 houses and 400,000 people would be affected by the smart lockdown, according to the Punjab health department.

Meanwhile, Sindh has confirmed 55,581 infections and nearly 900 fatalities. CM Murad Ali Shah has requested people to wear face masks while heading our of their homes and avoid holding gatherings.

A district health officer has written a letter to Karachi District West deputy commissioner to impose a smart lockdown in areas with the most number of COVID-19 cases.

The health officer said that the most number of cases in District West have been reported in Site and Baldia Town.