https://arab.news/c9rzs
- The country reported 3,876 new cases in the last 24 hours, a record this year
- Stricter measures could be announced after Monday meeting, planning minister says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate neared ten percent on Saturday, government data showed, as the country reported 3,876 new cases in the last 24 hours, a record this year.
In all, 623,135 cases and 13,799 deaths linked to the coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan since February last year.
According to the Pakistan government’s central body dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 40,946 tests were administered in the last 24 hours, out of which 3,876 returned positive, taking the national positivity ratio to 9.46%.
A breakdown of the total cases showed that 262,796 cases were detected in Sindh, 195,087 in Punjab, 78,653 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 19,306 in Balochistan, 50,843 in Islamabad, 4,967 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 11,483 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“An NCOC meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday [March 22] at which we will review the situation, and if it doesn’t improve, a decision of stricter measures can be announced,” NCOC chief and planning minister Asad Umar told media on Friday.
Authorities had opened up almost all sectors of society in previous months but earlier this month reversed a decision to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, theaters and marriage halls. Schools were also closed again for two weeks, from March 15.
On Friday, Islamabad’s district administration announced restrictions on outdoor dining after 10pm. The notification said all markets and restaurants in the federal capital would remain closed over the weekend, though grocery stores and pharmacies would continue to operate.