COVID-19: Pakistan reports highest cases in two months

ISLAMABAD: The coronavirus situation seems to be spiraling out of control as Pakistan reported nearly 4,500 cases within a single day, the highest in two months.

The latest figures from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 4,497 cases and 76 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 1,020,324 while the death toll stands at 23,209.

According to the official portal, the positivity ratio was surged to reach 7.53%. The number of people in critical condition has also increased to 3,084 people including 186 new patients in the previous day. Overall 937,354 people have recovered from the virus, including 1,612 in the past day.

There were 59,707 tests conducted in the previous day leading to new cases. The number of active cases in the country has also increased to 59,781 amid the recent surge in cases.

Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases as the situation worsens amid the presence of the Delta variant. The province has recorded 374,434 cases and 5,903 deaths while the number of active cases has surged to 37,695.

Punjab has recorded 354,904 cases and 10,955 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province has reached 12,205. Islamabad has recorded 86,602 cases and 797 deaths while there are 2,813 active cases in the federal capital.

The number of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 142,799 and 4,435 deaths while Balochistan has recorded 30,019 cases and 326 deaths. Gilgit Baltistan had recorded 7,935 cases and 133 deaths while Azad Kashmir has recorded 23,631 cases and 620 deaths.

Lockdown in Karachi

Sindh government is expected to enforce strict measures including imposing a complete lockdown after the positivity ratio reached 30 percent in the city.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has convened a meeting of the COVID task force on Friday in order to discuss further curbs on the unnecessary movement of people to avoid a disaster.

A final decision to impose a lockdown would be taken after consultation with other stakeholders in Karachi. According to reports, health experts and the provincial health department have recommended imposing a 15-day lockdown in the city.

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary-General Dr Qaiser Sajjad said that they have suggested a complete lockdown in Karachi for 15 days to avoid a further spike in coronavirus cases.

He said the only solution is to impose a complete lockdown for 15 days. He added that pressure is mounting on hospitals and could lead to a dangerous situation.