ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported more than one thousand coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest level in over two months, as the Omicron variant of the virus rapidly spreads across the country.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan reported 1,085 cases and five deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 1,299,848 while the death toll stands at 28,955.
The positivity ratio was recorded at 2.32%, while the number of active has increased to 13,046 after the recent surge in cases. There were 46,585 tests conducted in the previous day leading to new cases. There are 632 people who still remain in critical condition. Overall 1,257,847 people have recovered from the virus, including 247 in the past day.
Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases and remains the worst affected region. The province has recorded 484,266 cases and 7,676 deaths while there are 8,183 active cases.
Punjab has recorded 446,300 cases and 13,076 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province remains 3,703. Islamabad has recorded 108,984 cases and 967 deaths while there are 489 active cases in the federal capital.
The number of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 181,573 and 5,938 deaths, while Balochistan has recorded 33,654 cases and 366 deaths. Gilgit Baltistan had recorded 10,429 cases and 186 deaths while Azad Kashmir has recorded 34,682 cases and 746 deaths.
NCOC chief Asad Umar has rejected the possibility of a complete lockdown in view of rising Omicron cases of Covid-19 variant in the country.
In a statement, Asad Umar had said that Omicron cases are increasing rapidly but the government has no plan to impose lockdown in the country. “There is no chance to impose another complete lockdown,” he said, adding the government is closely monitoring the new COVID-19 Omicron variant.
SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has warned people on Tuesday to not take Omicron “lightly” as hospitalisation will increase in the next one to two weeks.. He advised the public to follow the COVID-19 SOPs and get vaccinated at the earliest.
