Covid-19 death toll in Pakistan reaches 9,250 with 87 new fatalities

Pakistan reported another 87 deaths and 3,179 coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours (Friday), as the country grapples with the second wave of this pandemic, showed the latest data released by National Command and Operation Centre on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Punjab and Sindh continued facing the brunt of the coronavirus deaths where 36 and 32 more people died of the virus respectively. It was followed by 10 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir, and two in Balochistan. In this way, the death toll in the country has increased to 9,250.

On the other hand, it is Sindh where most of the new infections are being detected. With the addition of another 1,903 cases during the past hours, the overall number for the province has reached 202,983.

With the overall number of coronavirus cases reaching 454,673, the details for other provinces/regions is given as: Punjab 130,706, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 54,448, Islamabad 35,905, Balochistan 17,880, Azad Kashmir 7,937 and Gilgit-Baltistan 4,814.

As far as the overall region-wise distribution of deaths is concerned, Punjab continues to be worst hit with 3,558 deaths. The corresponding figures for other provinces/regions are: Sindh 3,302, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1,521, Islamabad 388, Azad Kashmir 203, Balochistan 179 and Gilgit-Baltistan 99.

However, there is some good news as Friday again witnessed more people recovering from the infection when compared with those contracting the virus. It means there are 40,922 active cases in the country, representing a continuous decrease during the past few days.

Earlier, the number of active cases in Pakistan at one point during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic had crossed 51,000. 

But 2,999 of these patients are currently being treated in hospitals with 2,447 of them in a critical condition and admitted in intensive care units. Moreover, 279 of these critically-ill patients have been placed on ventilators.

As of Saturday morning, 404,501 people have fully recovered from the infection with the addition of 4,649 during the past 24 hours. Hence, the number of closed cases [deaths + patients recovering from infection] has reached 413,751.

Global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- Biden vaccination -

US President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill will be vaccinated against Covid-19 on Monday in public, as the Democrat seeks to build confidence in the treatment.

Outgoing President Donald Trump is not planning to take a vaccine soon, but Vice President Mike Pence receives a shot on live television Friday as the country prepares to approve a second vaccine produced by Moderna.

- Brussels summit cluster? -

Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic tests positive for Covid-19, a week after he attended an EU summit in Brussels at which French President Emmanuel Macron might have also caught the virus.

- Macron 'doing well' -

Macron, 42, says in a video message he is "doing well", but acknowledges that he had to slow down his activities due to ongoing coronavirus symptoms, which include "tiredness, headaches, dry cough".

- French deaths pass 60,000 -

The number of coronavirus deaths in France tops 60,000, after health authorities voice concern about a "worrying" resurgence in the virus ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

- Third Austrian lockdown -

Austria will enter its third coronavirus lockdown between December 26 and January 24, but those who take part in a planned series of mass tests between January 15 and 17 will be allowed more freedom.

- Mexico City curbs - 

Mexico City and the neighbouring State of Mexico suspend non-essential activities from the weekend, with only activities such as the sale of food, energy, transport, manufacturing and financial services allowed.

- Swedish U-turn -

Sweden recommends that masks be worn on public transport at peak times, having previously resisted their use in the fight against Covid-19 except in healthcare.

- Jabs for poorer countries -

Poorer countries will begin to receive coronavirus vaccines early next year, with almost two billion doses secured by a facility created to ensure fair access, the World Health Organization says.

- 1.66 million dead -

At least 1,662,792 people have died since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Friday.

Most new deaths were in the US with 3,249, followed by Brazil with 1,092 and Mexico with 718.

The US is also the worst-affected country with 310,792 deaths followed by Brazil with 184,827, India with 144,789, Mexico with 116,487 and Italy with 67,220 deaths.

AFP's specialised database shows a sharp spike in infections in Africa and Latin America.

- US relief package -

US lawmakers hammer out the final details of a major coronavirus package aimed at providing emergency relief for millions of struggling families and businesses amid signs of a worsening economy.

- Bolsonaro sceptical -

Brazilian far-right President Jair Bolsonaro launches an attack on coronavirus vaccines, even suggesting that the one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech could turn people into crocodiles or bearded ladies.

- Berlinale postponed -

Berlin's international film festival -- Europe's first major cinema showcase of the year -- postpones its February 2021 edition to a strictly digital event for industry players in March. 

- World Cup stadium opens -

Qatar inaugurates its latest stadium for the 2022 football World Cup with a half-capacity 20,000-strong crowd who had all been tested beforehand.

With inputs from AFP.