COVID-19: Pakistan death toll crosses 14,000 mark, records highest daily number of new cases
4,368 new infections reported as 3rd coronavirus wave hits
Islamabad: Pakistan recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus cases in nearly nine months as the country is grappling with the more contagious third wave of COVID-19.
Pakistan on Friday reported at least 4,368 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours – the highest single-day tally since July 2020. The recent infections have taken the country’s total tally of COVID-19 cases to 645,356. Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi also tested positive for the virus last week.
The total death toll in the country has now reached 14,091 with at least 63 lives lost to coronavirus during the last day. Nearly 3,333 coronavirus patients are currently under treatment at 631 hospitals across the country and 2,758 of them are in critical condition, the health ministry said.
Restrictions reintroduced
Different parts of urban Pakistan are currently under smart lockdown and maximum restrictions have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
Several restrictions have been reimposed in COVID hotspots including mandatory mask-wearing, restricted public life, 50 percent work-from-home policy and 10pm time limit for commercial activities.
Educational institutions in 18 high-risk districts have been ordered to remain shut until April 11.
The vaccination campaign has been ramped up amid the surge in cases. Pakistan government is currently vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 free of charge, administering the 1.5 million Sinopharm doses received from China.
Vaccination registration for citizens above 50 years would open on March 30, Minister Asad Umar, who is spearheading the national fight against the pandemic operations, said on Friday.
Immunisation process
In Islamabad, at least 32,492 healthcare workers and elders had been vaccinated, according to District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia. The capital city has made preparations to vaccinate at least 4,000 people a day to speed up the immunisation process. The 15 vaccination centers in Islamabad have been issued around 40,000 vaccines.
Health officials have also allowed private imports of the COVID-19 vaccine amid the spike in infections. The country is aiming to vaccinate around 70 million of its total 220 million population to reach community immunity.
Pakistan is set to receive the 1 million doses of Sinopharm and CanSino coronavirus vaccines bought from China. The government hopes to procure another 7 million doses from the same Chinese companies by the end of April. The batch of 4 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to be delivered to Pakistan by COVAX has been currently delayed.