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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded 4,525 cases from COVID-19 as the situation worsen from the novel coronavirus and the government tightens restrictions and violations of safety precautions.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the coronavirus has claimed 41 more lives across the country during the past 24 hours as the overall death toll reaches 14,256.
The total number of cases recorded in the country ever since the pandemic began has crossed reached 658,116. The total count of active cases is 46,663 while 3,055 are in critical condition. The positivity rate has increased and now stands at 11.2 per cent.
A total of 40,369 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Since the detection of the first COVID-19 case in the country, overall 10,107,095 tests have been conducted so far while 598,197 cases have been recorded so far.
The number of cases are surging in Punjab as the provincial government hints at a complete lockdown in Lahore. Punjab has recorded 215,227 cases and 6,246 deaths so far. There are 23,104 active cases in province.
Islamabad has recorded 56,450 cases and 561 deaths. There are 8,825 active cases in the region. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also witnessing surge as it has recorded 8,408 active case. There have been 85,531 cases and 2,301 deaths recorded so far.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the people to adhere to SOPs against COVID-19 as the third wave of the pandemic is far more dangerous.
In a televised message, the prime minister said hospitals are filling and people are being put on ventilators or oxygen. He said hospitals will fill to their capacity if it continues to spread with the current rate.
The prime minister, who has made steady recovery after testing positive for COVID-19 a week ago, said that that he remained safe during the first two waves as he had duly observed the precautions. However, during the Senate polls, he could not adhere to the SOPs which led to his infection.
The prime minister said the world is witness to the fact that wearing mask greatly reduces the chances of infection. He said the third strain came from England and the carriers came to Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad where the virus is spreading fast.
He said owing to the intensity of the third wave, the availability of COVID-19 vaccine has reduced. He said it is better to follow the SOPs and avoid visiting the super spreader venues like wedding ceremonies, restaurants or any closed door gatherings. PM Imran Khan said the government cannot close business and factories but people should avoid visiting public places.
