Pakistan posts 5,020 new coronavirus infections, 81 deaths in a day

Another 81 people lost their lives to the third wave of the deadly coronavirus whereas 5,020 new infections were reported during the last 24 hours (Saturday), showed the statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Sunday morning.

As per the latest NCOC data, after the addition of 81 new fatalities, the death toll has now surged to 14,778 while the number of total confirmed cases stood at 687,908, after adding 5,020 new ones.

During the past 24 hours (Saturday), 3,367 patients have recovered from the deadly virus whereas the number of total recoveries stood at 613,058. As of Sunday, the total count of active cases was recorded at 58,581 whereas the positivity rate stood at 9.02 percent.

As many as 266,378 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 231,073 in Punjab, 91,439 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 60,911 in Islamabad, 19,734 in Balochistan, 13,321 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 5,052 in Gilgit Baltistan.

Moreover, 6,572 individuals have so far lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab, 4,509 in Sindh, 2,440 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 579 in Islamabad, 364 in Azad Kashmir, 211 in Balochistan and 103 in Gilgit Baltistan.

A total of 55,605 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours (Saturday) whereas 10,403,33 samples have so far been tested.

Global developments
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

-Canada million cases-

Canada on Saturday crossed the threshold of one million coronavirus cases as the country faces a third wave of infections, forcing several provinces to tighten restrictions in recent days.

With 2,000 new cases of Covid-19 announced in British Columbia on Saturday evening, Canada topped one million cases since the start of the pandemic, according to figures reported by Canadian broadcasters. Just over 23,000 people have died.

Canada is grappling with a third wave of cases amid the rapid spread of variants, which are more contagious.

The two most populous provinces, Ontario and Quebec, headed into the Easter weekend tightening public health measures.

Ontario, home to more than a third of Canada's cases, stepped up restrictions for at least four weeks.

Non-essential businesses are held to 25 percent capacity, while others can accommodate 50 percent capacity. 

Sports venues and hair salons are closed, though schools remain open and residents have not been ordered to stay home.

The second worst-hit province, Quebec, strengthened restrictions in several regions while maintaining a nighttime curfew imposed in early January that is unprecedented in Canada.

- UK logs more AstraZeneca blood clot cases -
Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says that of 30 people who suffered blood clots after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the country, seven have died.

But the agency adds: "The benefits of the vaccines against Covid-19 continue to outweigh any risks," urging the public to keep taking the vaccine.

- Vaccination record in Bhutan -
Bhutan has vaccinated its population of fewer than one million at a record pace, with 60 percent benefiting from their first dose in a week.

The Himalayan kingdom inoculated the same percentage of its population as world-leader Israel did in a month and a half.

- French extends restrictions -
French virus curbs that had been imposed in hard-hit regions are extended nationwide, including the closure of shops deemed non-essential.

Travel is to be restricted to 10 kilometres (6.25 miles) from people's homes and schools are closed for up to four weeks.

- Argentine president tests positive -
Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, who has been vaccinated, announces he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Fernandez was inoculated with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine and had his second shot on February 11, sources in the presidency tell AFP.

- German protests -
Thousands of people protest in Stuttgart against virus restrictions amid a heated debate throughout Germany on tightening the measures in the face of a third wave of Covid-19.

- Philippines extension -
The Philippines will extend a coronavirus lockdown of more than 24 million people as it deploys tents and health workers to overwhelmed hospitals in the capital where cases are surging.

- California eases stadium limits -
Sports fans will be allowed to return to indoor arenas in California later this month under new guidelines announced by state authorities, as the Covid-19 situation improves.

The new rules, which take effect from April 15, also include gatherings, private events and meetings.

- US vaccinations pass 100 million -
The United States has now administered at least one coronavirus vaccine dose to more than 100 million people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces.

The 101,804,762 people who have received at least one dose represents more than 30 percent of the US population, according to CDC data.

- Latin America cases pass 25 million -
Latin America and the Caribbean have passed the 25 million mark for recorded coronavirus cases, as a surge in infections sees countries place restrictions on travel and movement while vaccine campaigns catch up.

An AFP tally shows the region reaching the grim milestone of 25,107,991 infections, putting it in third place after Europe, with more than 44.4 million cases, and the United States and Canada with nearly 31.6 million.

- 2.8 million dead worldwide -
At least 2,839,849 people have died of Covid-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally from official sources at 1300 GMT Saturday. 

The US is the worst-affected country with 554,103 deaths followed by Brazil with 328,206 fatalities, Mexico with 203,854, India with 164,110 and Britain with 126,816 deaths.

With inputs from AFP.