Islamabad also recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic
Pakistan on Friday registered over 7,600 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to the data shared by the National Command Operation Center (NCOC) on Friday morning.
The NCOC recorded 7,678 new covid infections and 23 deaths in the past 24 hours, as the positivity ratio surged to 12.93 percent from 11.55 percent a day earlier. The latest tally of infections took overall cases to more than 1.35 million. As many as 59,343 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, said the NCOC.
Previously, the highest number of cases recorded in a single day was 6,825 coronavirus cases, recorded on June 13, 2020.
Despite the cases soaring at such a fast pace, the government is not considering imposing a lockdown. Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Wednesday, turned down the possibility of imposing a lockdown saying that Pakistan’s economy could not bear the burden of another lockdown.
The rise of coronavirus cases comes a day after NCOC imposed 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.
Islamabad records most new Covid cases since start of pandemic
The capital city also registered the highest number of coronavirus infections in a single day since Covid started in March 2020, after 1,131 cases were reported on Thursday.
In Rawalpindi, 255 new infections were reported on Thursday. Over the last 24 hours, a total of five deaths from coronavirus were recorded in the twin cities – two in the capital and three in Rawalpindi.
Furthermore, at least eight educational institutions – two in Islamabad and six in the garrison city – were sealed after Covid cases surfaced in the institutes.
Amid the worsening situation, the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have decided to ban indoor dining at all restaurants, starting today (Friday).
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat told media that if the cases continued to rise, the restrictions being imposed to curb the spread of the virus may become stricter in the days to come.
“There is no other option left except smart lockdown if this state of affairs continues,” Mr Shafqaat said.