Faizullah Faraq, spokesman of the Gilgit Baltistan government, who earlier on Wednesday announced the first death of the country due to the deadly virus, has retracted from his claims saying no coronavirus death had happened in the province.

Earlier, Faraqa said the deceased person was 90 years old and was a resident of Chillas area who was admitted to the hospital where his COVID-19 test has come positive. He also said the patient has also developed pneumonia other than having coronavirus.

But latter, he said the deceased person was died of pneumonia and because of coronavirus as his test report for COVID-19 has come negative.

It is the third instance in as many days that coronavirus suspected patients have died in Pakistan but government latter announced latter there test came negative. However in GB case, the spokesman categorically said that the patient was positive for COVID-19 but latter he has come up with new statement.

The deadly virus has so far claimed over 8000 lives around the globe with cases reaching crossing 200000 mark.

The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 297 as more cases reported from Sindh, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday.

Four of these cases have been reported recovered. According to the Pakistan government portal at 8.05pm, Sindh registered 36 more cases today taking their tally to 208. Punjab recorded seven new cases with the total stands at 33 whereas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported three new cases with total at 19.

A big jump was recorded in virus cases Gilgit Baltistan which reached 13 with the addition of 10 cases today. There was no change in the number of cases in Balochistan which stands at 16, cases in Federal Capital rose to seven after addition of three new ones and Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded its first case today.