Pakistan records 6,808 Covid cases; where 54% were reported in Sindh only
Pakistan has recorded 6,808 COVID cases in the last 24 hours; where 54% of them were reported in Sindh only.
This is the second-highest daily COVID-19 case count since the pandemic started in 2020 as the country is witnessing a rapid rise in infections due to the Omicron variant.
The highest number of cases 6,825 were recorded on June 13, 2020.
According to National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), a total of 58,943 samples were tested, out of which 6,808 turned out to be positive.
The positivity rate in the country jumped to a nine-month high Thursday morning to 11.55 % as compared to yesterday’s 9.48%.
While 918 patients are in critical condition.
Statistics 20 Jan 22:
— NFRCC (@NFRCCofficial) January 20, 2022
Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 58,943
Positive Cases: 6808
Positivity %: 11.55%
Deaths :5
Patients on Critical Care: 918
Region-wise breakdown of reported COVID cases and deaths in the last 24 hours is as follows:
- Sindh: 3,738 cases, 1 death
- Punjab: 1,493 cases, 2 deaths
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 331 cases, 2 deaths
- Balochistan: 36 cases
- Islamabad: 1,131 cases
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 6 cases
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 73 cases
A day earlier, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced a series of restrictions to curb rising Covid-19 cases that are to be applied in cities having COVID positivity of more than 10%.
New announced COVID restrictions are as follows:
- Classes for students aged below 12 years will be allowed with 50 percent attendance in cities having an infection rate of over 10%. In other cities, however, schools will remain open with full attendance and students over the age of 12 years must be fully vaccinated.
- Vaccination of students above 12 years will be compulsory from Feb 1.
- Large-scale testing will be carried out at “high disease prevalence” educational institutes for targeted closure.
- Markets and businesses will continue to operate without any restriction.
- Indoor and outdoor dining, as well as wedding functions, will be allowed only for vaccinated people.
- There will be a complete ban on indoor dining and weddings in cities with over 10% Covid positivity ratio with effect from Jan 24. However, outdoor dining and weddings with a maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated guests will be allowed.
- Only vaccinated people will be allowed in gyms, cinemas, shrines, and amusement parks. However, 50% capacity will be ensured at these places in cities with more than a 10% positivity rate.
- Public transport will operate with 70% occupancy (trains at 80%) for fully vaccinated and mask-wearing will be mandatory throughout the journey.
