Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday reported 118 deaths caused by COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. According to the National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC), 5,395 new cases of COVID-19 were reported after 64,685 tests countrywide in the same period.
The country’s COVID-19 positivity rate remained a little above 8.34 per cent.
More than 100 deaths were reported on Thursday for the third consecutive day. There are 77,294 active cases in the country, according to the NCOC data.
After the latest addition, total number of fatalities due to COVID-19 in Pakistan surged to 15,872 while the tally of cases stood at 739,818.
The NCOC data further reveals that 4,740 people have recovered from coronavirus during the past 24 hours.
The number of deaths in Punjab—68— is higher than the rest of the provinces/regions during the last 24 hours; 29 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 6 in Islamabad, 3 in Sindh and 2 in Balochistan.
PHC issues new guidelines
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued guidelines to the district & sessions and civil court directing it to take up only urgent cases and follow all the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for COVID-19.
In the guidelines released by the PHC registrar office, the ‘urgent’ cases include cases wherein directions have been issued for early hearing by the high court or pre- and post-arrest bail applications.
The habeas corpus petitions and applications under section 22-A and 22-B of Code of Criminal Procedure (Justice of Peace) also fall in the category of urgent cases. Cases that are at final stages of arguments can also be taken up during these days of pandemic.
The PHC cases of urgent category also include custody cases, target cases under five-year plan and the revision petitions.
UNICEF launches advisory for COVID-19
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a one-minute video message giving useful tips regarding precautionary measures during the third wave to protect oneself from COVID-19.
In the clip, people are advised not to touch their nose or mouth and avoid the company of those who appear to be having breathing problems.
