The coronavirus positivity ratio in Pakistan remained above 10 percent for the past six days, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data showed on Tuesday morning.
The fifth wave of coronavirus pandemic continues to rise as the country recorded an infection rate of 12.81 percent as 6,357 new cases were recorded after 49,595 tests were conducted across Pakistan in the last 24 hours, NCOC said.
A day ago, Pakistan recorded 7,195 new cases, said NCOC data.
Following cities recorded above 10 percent positivity ratio:
- Karachi — 40.68%
- Muzaffarabad — 29.41%
- Peshawar — 23.89%
- Hyderabad — 21.53%
- Lahore — 15.83%
- Rawalpindi — 12.50%
With the detection of new cases, the overall infections have jumped to 1.381 million, while 17 more patients have succumbed to the virus, taking the death toll to 29,122, the official stats showed.
Meanwhile, officials have said that Pakistan might experience its peak in the first or second week of February.
“More restrictions are expected this week to control this situation,” they said.
Earlier on Monday, authorities enforced a smart lockdown in several areas of Karachi’s district South amid a sharp rise in the Omicron cases.
A notification issued by the district administration stated that multiple localities of Garden, Saddar and Civil Lines areas would remain under smart lockdown.
Unnecessary movement of the people residing in areas under lockdown shall be restricted. No gathering of three or more persons shall be allowed in public spaces.
On the other hand, the education ministry and Islamabad administration had a jointly devised a new strategy to halt the disruption of education in schools.
According to the Islamabad deputy commissioner (DC), if any student tests positive in a given class, instead of closing down the school, only the respective class will be dismissed, and students will be sent home to quarantine.
The district administration of Peshawar has also imposed a smart lockdown in eight areas of the city.
The areas where the COVID-19 restrictions have been announced include Hayatabad Phase 4, Hazar Khawani, Gulbahar No. 4, Dilla Zak Road and Warsak Road, according to a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar.
Shops of essential items like food and medicines, and emergency services will remain open. Exit and entry points will remain blocked in these areas during the smart lockdown.
