Pakistan adds up 2,400 new coronavirus infections, 33 deaths in 24 hours

Pakistan has registered another 2,400 coronavirus cases and 33 deaths during the last 24 hours (Thursday), showed the statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday morning.

As per the latest NCOC data, after the addition of 33 new deaths, the overall toll has now surged to 29,950 whereas the number of total infections now stood at 1,496,693 after adding the fresh 2,400 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Thursday), 48,744 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio stood at 4.92 percent. The number of patients in critical care was 1,496.

https://twitter.com/OfficialNcoc/status/1494481183463378944

During the last 24 hours (Thursday), as many as 3,009 patients have recovered from the virus whereas the total recoveries stood at 1,396,218. As of Friday, the total count of active cases in the country was recorded at 70,525.

As many as 562,597 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 497,820 in Punjab, 213,762 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 133,613 in Islamabad, 35,187 in Balochistan, 42,429 in Azad Kashmir and 11,285 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, 13,418 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab so far, 8,013 in Sindh, 6,177 in KP, 1,002 in Islamabad, 780 in Azad Kashmir, 371 in Balochistan and 189 in Gilgit Baltistan.

 

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Here are the global developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- Canadian police deploy -

Canadian police mass in the capital, readying to clear a trucker-led anti-Covid curb protest that has choked Ottawa's streets and provoked the government to call on rarely-used emergency powers.

- Israel to end green pass -

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces the requirement to show proof of coronavirus vaccination to enter various sites will soon end, as the wave of infections wanes.

- World 'better prepared' -

The world is becoming "better prepared" to deal with future variants of the virus, the CEO and co-founder of German vaccine-maker BioNTech tells AFP, as the company works on an Omicron-specific shot.

- Japan eases strict border bar -

Japan will ease its strict virus border rules to allow students and businesspeople into the country from March, but tourists will still be barred.

- Portugal to lift most Covid rules -

Portugal will no longer require people to present a health pass when going to restaurants and hotels, the government says, without providing a fixed date. Proof of vaccination is still necessary to enter the country.

- Swiss president tests positive -

On the day Switzerland lifts almost all remaining coronavirus restrictions, the government announces President Ignazio Cassis has tested positive.

- Covid-19 pill -

A South Africa regulator says it has approved the use of Merck's Covid-19 pill for high-risk adults.

- US jabs for Egypt, Nigeria -

The United States ships nearly 5.2 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to Egypt and Nigeria, a White House official tells AFP.

- Djokovic ready for Dubai comeback -

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic prepares for his comeback in Dubai, after a coronavirus vaccine row kept the Serb from defending his Australian Open title.

- Aussie tennis star probed -

Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur hits back at allegations he is being investigated over the purchase of false Covid passes, insisting: "I have a completely valid, accurate and true vaccination record."

- Over 5.8 million dead -

Coronavirus has killed at least 5,848,104 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources Thursday.

The US has recorded the most Covid deaths with 928,519, followed by Brazil with 640,774, and India 510,413.

Taking into account excess mortality linked to Covid-19, the WHO estimates the true death toll could be two to three times higher.

With inputs from AFP.