PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 37 more Covid-19 deaths and 1,265 fresh cases during the last 24 hours, according to a health department report issued on Friday.

It said the highest number of 17 people died in the provincial capital followed by seven in Mardan and six in Abbottabad.

Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Charsadda and Swabi recorded one death each, while Swat reported two deaths.

The report said the death toll from the Covid-19 in the province had jumped to 3,066.

Of the total fresh cases, the provincial capital recorded highest number of 319 cases, followed by 196 in Mardan, 118 in Haripur, 96 Nowshera, 75 Charsadda, 76 Swabi, 75 Swat, 50 Lower Dir, 22 Shangla, 29 Abbottabad, 38 Kohat, 31 Bannu and 18 Dera Ismail Khan.

The report said there were a total of 14,399 active cases across the province, while number of recoveries stood at 945.

It said the province also conducted a total of 8,334 Covid-19 tests over the last 24 hours.

Separately, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan met the traders’ representatives to discuss issues arising out of the closure of bazaars due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While expressing his concerns over the rising number of cases, the chief minister asked the traders and religious scholars to play their role in implementation of the standard operating procedures to contain the spread of the pathogen.

He said not following the SOPs could further aggravate the situation.

Mahmood Khan assured the delegation that the government would ensure resolution of their issues.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021