ISLAMABAD: Pakistan witnessed a rise in COVID-19 cases on Monday as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the country.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan reported 708 cases and two deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 1,297,235 while the death toll stands at 28,933.
The positivity ratio was recorded at 1.55%, which shows a slight increase from 1.30% recorded a day earlier. There were 45,643 tests conducted in the previous day leading to new cases. There are 632 people who still remain in critical condition. Overall 1,257,168 people have recovered from the virus, including 144 in the past day.
Sindh has recorded the highest number of cases and remains the worst affected region. The province has recorded 482,286 cases and 7,673 deaths while there are still 7,073 active cases.
Punjab has recorded 445,445 cases and 13,074 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province remains 3,049. Islamabad has recorded 108,755 cases and 967 deaths while there are 344 active cases in the federal capital.
The number of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 181,469 and 5,933 deaths, while Balochistan has recorded 33,644 cases and 364 deaths. Gilgit Baltistan had recorded 10,429 cases and 186 deaths while Azad Kashmir has recorded 34,667 cases and 746 deaths.
Cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus are on the rise in the country. Earlier, a micro-smart lockdown was imposed in Block 7, Gulshan-e-Iqbal locality after 12 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus were reported from the area.
The micro-smart lockdown has been enforced in the streets and houses of the specified area by Deputy Commissioner District East on the recommendation of the concerned health officer.
All types of gatherings or events have been banned in the area amidst fear of COVID-19 spread. Authorities will ensure strict compliance of COVID-19 SOPs, including wearing masks when entering or exiting the area and restricted movement of people residing in the area.
However, grocery shops/convenience stores, bakeries and pharmacies shall be allowed to remain open in the area during specific timings as per the directives issued by the National Command and Operating Center (NCOC), the notification read.The lockdown will remain effective till January 14.
Earlier, 11 members of a family in Karachi’s District East were found infected with the Omicron variant, while officials of the capital administration had confirmed 18 more Omicron cases in the federal capital, taking the overall tally of the new Covid variant in Islamabad to 84.
