ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded the lowest daily COVID-19 death count of 2021 after two people lost their lives to the virus over the last 24 hours, data from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) showed Sunday morning.
According to the latest statistics of NCOC, only two people succumbed to the novel coronavirus during the past 24 hours across the country, pushing the nationwide death toll from the virus to 28,872.
At least 260 fresh infections were reported after 42,640 tests were taken across the country in the last 24 hours, confirmed NCOC. Pakistan reported a coronavirus positivity rate of less than 1% for the 31st consecutive day at 0.7%. The number of active cases, too, is continuing on its downward trend and was recorded at 9,589.
Omicron threat
The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and COVID-19 cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in places with high levels of population immunity, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday.
The highly mutated variant is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, the WHO said, but it is unclear if this is due to the virus’ ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility or a combination of both.
The agency designated Omicron a variant of concern on November 26, soon after it was first detected by scientists in South Africa, and much is still not known about it.
The organization further said, “There are still limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness to date for Omicron.”
However, Omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the Delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake Delta as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is spreading locally, the UN health agency said.
