(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that provinces should take measures to enforce "smart lockdown" in coronavirus affected areas.

Chairing a meeting to review measures taken to curb spread of virus in Islamabad on Monday, he said that the government is constantly monitoring the situation and is taking all out steps to protect the people from the deadly disease.

Expressing satisfaction on the meeting of needs of protective clothing and kits in the country, Imran Khan directed the local leadership to review the COVID-19 facilities in hospitals in their respective areas in cooperation with the administration and also play a vibrant role in ensuring people's cooperation in following the SOPs.

On the occasion, he ordered NDMA chief to ensure availability of medicines and equipment in all hospitals.

During the meeting, the officials apprised the PM that 107 laboratories are working in the country for corona tests and 25,000 tests are being conducted daily. The number of ventilators in the country is 4,800 while another 1,600 will be added soon.

In addition, 2,000 COVID beds will be made available into different hospitals of the provinces by next month, the meeting was informed.

Meanwhile, the government has identified sites in 20 cities of the country where the number of corona affected persons is on the rise and need administrative measures by provincial governments and district administration.