The National Command and Operation Centre-directed strict Eid-specific Covid-19 social curbs have paid the dividend as the positivity rate declined to 5.06% from the double-digit figure observed during last week, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to the latest NCOC data released on Saturday morning, 83 more people lost their battle of lives against Covid-19 across the country. As many as 1,531 new cases of Covid-19 were emerged during last 24 hours (Friday). However, the positivity ratio remained 5.06% and 588 ventilator-fitted beds have been occupied by the corona patients.
As per the NCOC statistics, 30,248 corona tests were conducted across the country and 1,531 were tested positive during last 24 hours (Friday).
Up till now 19,467 people died from Covid-19 while 783,751 were recovered across the country.
Punjab tops in the death toll where 9,322 died due to coronavirus. The province also leads in infectivity with 324,589 positive cases.
In Multan the occupancy rate of ventilator-fitted beds is 73%, in Lahore 58% and in Peshawar it is 43%. Whereas in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan no Covid-19 patient is on ventilator.
Of the 83 who passed away from coronavirus on Friday, 73 had been admitted to hospitals while 36 were on ventilators.
Meanwhile, amid the lockdowns imposed by the government across Pakistan, the rate of new coronavirus cases has declined by 61 percent of the peak cases.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
- 'Far more deadly' -
The World Health Organization warns the Covid-19 pandemic's second year is on track to be "far more deadly".
Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also urges rich countries to donate vaccines to poor countries rather than jab children.
- Keep masks on -
People should wear face masks in areas where the virus is spreading even after being vaccinated, the WHO says, after the US decides the jabbed can shed the coverings.
- Sputnik V India rollout -
India starts deploying Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the first foreign-made shot to be used in the country as it reels from an explosion in cases and deaths.
- Indian variant worry -
A rise in cases of the Indian coronavirus variant could "pose serious disruption" to Britain's reopening plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns, maintaining the next step of reopening on Monday.
- Pressure mounts in Japan -
Japan's government expands a virus state of emergency just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics, as campaigners submit a petition with more than 350,000 signatures urging the Games be scrapped.
- Sun, sand, sea -
Greece kickstarts its tourism season, with both the government and travel operators hoping the lure of sun, sand and sea will bring a sorely needed revenue boost after last year's miserable holiday season.
- Good news, bad news -
British tourists will be able to visit Portugal from Monday after Lisbon lifts coronavirus restrictions introduced in January.
But Germany's health agency re-classifies Britain as a coronavirus "risk area" over concerns about the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant there, though travellers will still be able to avoid quarantine under updated rules.
- Taiwan outbreak -
The self-ruled island hailed as a global leader in containing the virus announces an indefinite closure of entertainment venues in capital Taipei in the wake of a widening outbreak of local infections first detected among pilots.
- Turkish GP cancelled -
The Turkish Grand Prix, which was only drafted onto the Formula One calendar as a replacement for the cancelled Canada GP two weeks ago, is axed and will be replaced with a second race in Austria.
- 3.3 million dead -
The pandemic has killed at least 3,346,813 people worldwide since the virus first emerged in late 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data.
The US is the worst-affected country with 584,487 deaths, followed by Brazil with 430,417, India 262,317, Mexico 219,901 and Britain 127,651.
With inputs from AFP.