ISLAMABAD: On Saturday 24 April 2021, 157 death cases has been reported due to COVID-19 making it the country’s highest death toll since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020.
Total Covid-19 Cases:
According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), the country recorded at least 5,908 new covid-19 cases during the same time period, taking the country’s coronavirus cases tally to 790,016.
- The new deaths have taken the country’s death tally to 16,999.
- The most deaths in the country were reported in Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last 24 hours.
- In this way, Pakistan’s national positivity ratio shot up to 11.27% on Saturday.
Covid-19 deaths by province:
Out of the total 16,999 reported deaths, there have been at least 4,587 deaths in Sindh, 7,897 in Punjab, 3066 in K-P, 657 in Islamabad.
About 230 deaths were reported in Balochistan, 104 in G-B and 458 in AJK.
There are around 633 hospitals with Covid-19 facilities across Pakistan with more than 5,561 patients admitted, added the NCOC.
Decision for complete lockdown:
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out the possibility of implementing a full lockdown across the country and has urged the public to follow coronavirus SOP’S to avoid a “complete lockdown”.
PM Khan made the announcement after chairing an important meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Friday afternoon to give an update on the new coronavirus restrictions as the country battles the third wave of the virus.
Enforcement of Coronavirus standard operating procedures:
The federal government has also sought Pakistan Army’s help to enforce COVID-19 SOPs.
The decision made were:
- Schools in cities with positivity rates above 5% closed until Eid, including classes 9-12
- Markets to stay open till 6pm. Only essential businesses can operate after 6pm. A list of essential business will be issued.
- Outdoor and indoor dining banned until Eid. Takeaway and deliveries will be allowed.
- Indoor gyms to be closed.
- Offices capacity at 50% and are to be closed daily at 2pm.
- Eid shopping will not be possible after iftar.
- 50% work from home policy to be implemented in offices.
Federal Minister for planning Asad Umar, has announced that from April 25, walk-in vaccination for those who are between the ages of 60 and 64 will also be started.