11 courts sealed after judges and staff test positive for virus

Pakistan’s daily coronavirus cases cross 1,000 mark for first time since July; voice chancellors demand special COVID-19 package for universities

- Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD

Eleven courts in Islamabad have been sealed after judges and staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the media reports on Friday.

Islamabad Bar Association Secretary Nabil Tahir Mirza told Dawn news the courts were ordered to remain closed for 14 days after 12 judges and staff were diagnosed with the disease.

The sealed courts are three courts of additional and sessions judge, the court of a senior civil judge, and seven courts of civil judges, he said.

Pakistan reported more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 for the first time since July, it emerged on Friday.

In a statement, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said 1,078 people tested positive for the virus on Thursday while 20 others died of respiratory illness.

According to data collected by Dawn.com, Pakistan last reported more than a thousand cases on July 29 when 1,074 infections were recorded.

“Ater more than 70 days the national Covid-19 positivity ratio is higher than 3%, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said.