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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reports more than 3,500 cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday while another 67 people succumbed to the virus as the nation continues to deal with surging cases.
The latest figures from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 3,582 cases and 67 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 1,043,277 while the death toll stands at 23,529.
According to the official portal, the positivity ratio was recorded at 7.19%. There are 3,398 people in critical condition. Overall 944,375 people have recovered from the virus, including 1,355 in the past day. There were 49,798 tests conducted in the previous day leading to new cases. The number of active cases in the country has also increased to 75,373 amid the worsening condition and surge in cases.
Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases and remains the worst affected region. The province has recorded 387,261 cases and 6,057 deaths while the number of active cases has surged to 48,003.
Punjab has recorded 358,261 cases and 11,083 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province has reached 13,755. Islamabad has recorded 88,344 cases and 804 deaths while there are 3,973 active cases in the federal capital.
The number of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 145,306 and 4,477 deaths while Balochistan has recorded 30,627 cases and 328 deaths. Gilgit Baltistan had recorded 8,318 cases and 147 deaths while Azad Kashmir has recorded 25,034 cases and 633 deaths.
New restrictions
The NCOC has announced revised restrictions for a number of cities as the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic gains strength. Planning minister Asad Umar said the government took “targeted and staggered” decisions to contain the outbreak.
He said the virus had spread rapidly in the past week, with COVID-19 cases, positivity ratio, and hospitalisations both witnessing a spike. “The latest decisions have been taken with the prime minister’s permission as virus cases and positivity ratio has increased,” he added.
According to the new guidelines, markets will now be closed at 8pm instead of 10pm and the government has also decided to resume the 50pc work from home policy.
Indoor and outdoor dining has also been closed, with delivery and takeaway permitted. Public transport to operate with 50pc occupancy. Two days in a week to be observed as safe days with provinces free to choose
The new restrictions, which will last from August 3 to Aug 31 will apply to Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan in Punjab; Peshawar and Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Karachi and Hyderabad in Sindh; Islamabad; Muzaffarabad and Mirpur in Azad Kashmir; and Gilgit and Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan.
