ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded 3,449 new cases of COVID-19 and forty more deaths and were reported across the country during the last twenty-four hours.
According to the latest statistics from National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the total number of cases from the novel coronavirus has surged to 619,259. The death toll from the virus has reached 13,757 as the situation worsens across the country.
The number of active cases has reached 27,188 while 2,064 are still in critical condition. A total of 42,845 tests were conducted across the country during this period. The positivity ratio was recorded at 8.04 percent during the past day.
The situation has worsened in Punjab which has 12,569 active cases. The province has recorded 193,054 cases while the death toll has reach 5,919. The government has imposed a smart lockdown in various cities while the hospital occupancy has reached maximum capacity in several districts.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has reversed a decision that had allowed uncapped prices for Covid-19 vaccines imported by private firms, Special Assistant on Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said.
Pakistan had early allowed private companies to import coronavirus vaccines and agreed to exempt such imports from price caps. The government is importing vaccine to administer free jabs to the people in phases.
“Now, however, there is a formula, already in vogue, to determine max price,” Sultan told a news agency. “So yes, there is a price cap that DRAP (Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan) will recommend and get approval for,” he said.
There is no reliable price information was available at this point in time. The vaccine manufactured by different companies might differ on the use of technologies and number of shots required for immunisation.
The NCOC has expressed its apprehensions that the vaccines might be sold or administered at very high prices if the rates are not regulated. However, it also emphasised that the process of fixing maximum retail prices be amended keeping in view the urgency of the situation.
