Pakistan reports 4,468 new COVID-19 cases, highest since June 21

Pakistan on Saturday has reported 4,468 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily count since June 21.

The pandemic situation across the country is getting serious as the country reports more than 4000 cases for the straight second day.

Furthermore, 67 coronavirus-related deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours.

According to the government’s Covid-19 portal, the country’s recoveries from coronavirus have risen to 593,282 after 2,137 more people recovered.

Meanwhile, 2,842 virus patients are said to be in critical condition.

The province of Punjab remains the worst hit by the third wave of coronavirus as it is reporting 2000 or above cases on a daily basis for the past week.

Amid the surging case, the Punjab government has put public sector hospitals of the province on high alert.

According to the provincial health authorities, Lahore was at the top of the districts reporting the highest infection rate, which was determined on the basis of cases reported in the last two weeks.

The country-wide breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• Punjab: 2,330 cases, 48 deaths
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 953 cases, 14 deaths
• Islamabad: 709 cases, 2 deaths
• Sindh: 293
• Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 150 cases, 2 deaths
• Balochistan: 26
• Gilgit Baltistan: 7

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in a press briefing after the NCOC meeting said that Pakistan’s coronavirus situation could soon cross levels seen during the first wave in June last year.

He also warned the citizens that if the surge in cases is not controlled, tougher restrictions will have to be imposed.

The federal minister also said he had already started getting messages that hospitals were nearing their full capacity so availability of beds might now become an issue.