At least 1,981 dead as COVID-19 tally nears 60,000
AHMEDABAD – Drones hovered over the pandemic-stricken Indian city of Ahmedabad on Saturday spraying disinfectant on the streets, hours after security forces clashed with residents who flouted a toughened lockdown.
The western city of 5.5 million people has become a major concern for authorities as they battle a surge in coronavirus deaths and cases across India.
Ahmedabad accounts for 343 of the almost 2,000 deaths reported nationwide and just under ten percent of cases registered. Other cities in Gujarat state have also been badly hit.
Drones sprayed from the air while fire engines and other city vehicles toured the empty streets sending out clouds of cleaning agent onto roads and the outside of buildings.
"We have started a massive exercise to spray disinfectant in all zones of the city," said the city's acting chief administrator Rajiv Gupta.
India has been in the grip of the world's biggest lockdown since March 25, which was made stricter in Ahmedabad on Friday because of the accelerated spread of the virus.
Hundreds of paramilitaries kept people off the streets and virtually all stores have been closed for at least a week.
On Friday night, security forces fired tear gas at stone-throwing residents who ventured out. At least 15 people were arrested and the police presence was stepped up Saturday.
Authorities have insisted the pandemic crisis is under control and have started to ease restrictions in many parts of India to let agriculture and some companies get back to work. Experts however have warned of an increasing toll despite the lockdown.
The virus is spreading particularly quickly in major cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. And experts say the toll numbers are higher than reported because of the lack of testing and poor accounting for deaths.
While the number of deaths is low compared to the United States and the worst-hit European nations, health specialists say India's pandemic curve may only peak in June and July.
Shamika Ravi, an economic advisor to the government who has become a much-followed commentator on the pandemic's spread, said Saturday that the "infection is way ahead of our knowledge" in Gujarat and Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, because there is not enough testing.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India has risen by over 3,300 over the past 24 hours (3,390 yesterday) to 59,662, according to the country's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The death toll has increased by 95 (103 yesterday) to 1,981 over the past 24 hours, according to the ministry.
As many as 1,308 COVID-19 patients in India have recovered over the same period of time (1,273 yesterday), bringing the total number of cured people to 17,846, the ministry added.
A total of 39,834 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment in the country.
The central state of Maharashtra remains the most affected one, with 19,063 cases, followed by the western state of Gujarat with 7,402 cases, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi with 6,318 cases.
Pakistani rupee saw marginal improvement against US dollar as it appreciated in the open bank market.
On Thursday, the US dollar moved up and was being quoted at 285.3 for buying and 288.15 for selling.
Euro moves down to 311 for buying and 314 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 358.5 for buying, and 361.5 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED stands at 78 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.20.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 285.3 | 288.15 |
Euro | EUR | 311 | 314 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 358.5 | 361.5 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 78 | 78.7 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 76.2 | 77 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.2 | 189 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 759.67 | 767.67 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209 | 211 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.58 | 39.98 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.38 | 41.78 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.63 | 36.98 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.39 | 3.5 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.49 | 1.56 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 926.7 | 935.7 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 60.38 | 60.98 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.44 | 175.44 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.25 | 26.55 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 741.26 | 749.26 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 77.63 | 78.33 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 211 | 213 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.93 | 27.23 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 325.9 | 328.4 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.23 | 8.38 |
KARACHI – The gold price continues to climb up in the local market in line of upward trend in international market.
On Thursday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs218,600, and the price for 10-gram gold reached Rs187,420.
Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs200,380, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs191,275 and 18k gold rate hoveres around Rs163,950.
In international market, the price of precious metal hovers around $2,045 per ounce.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Karachi | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Islamabad | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Peshawar | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Quetta | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Sialkot | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Attock | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Gujranwala | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Jehlum | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Multan | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Gujrat | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Nawabshah | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Chakwal | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Hyderabad | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Nowshehra | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Sargodha | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Faisalabad | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
Mirpur | PKR 218,600 | PKR 2,675 |
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