ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday recoded over 7,600 new COVID-19 cases, its highest daily caseload since the beginning of the pandemic.
The National Command Operation Center (NCOC), which is overseeing the pandemic response, recorded 7,678 new coronavirus infections and 23 deaths in the past 24 hours, with the positivity ratio shooting up to 12.93 percent from 11.55 percent the previous day.
The previous record high number of daily cases was reported on June 13, 2020, when 6,825 people in Pakistan tested positive for the infection.
The rise COVID-19 figures comes as authorities the South Asian nation are imposing new restrictions to curb the fast-spreading omicron strain that is fueling the fifth viral wave sweeping the country.
“There shall be a complete ban on all types of indoor dining in Islamabad w.e.f 21st January 2022 instead of 24th January 2022,” a notification from the office of the Islamabad deputy commissioner said on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the NCOC banned indoor gatherings and imposed restrictions on schools from Jan. 24 in cities where the COVID-19 positivity rate is above 10 percent.
Despite the rapid surge in cases, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ruled out a lockdown, saying that Pakistan cannot bring its economy to a standstill.
