Pakistan registers more than 2,800 Covid-19 cases

The country saw yet another high in the number of coronavirus cases on Saturday, with at least 2,843 cases being recorded in the last 24-hour period as the pandemic's second wave sweeps through Pakistan.

At least 42 people also passed away during the same time period, said the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC). Saturday's increase in cases is highest since July.

The NCOC added that 42,752 coronavirus tests were conducted on Friday and recoveries touched 328,931. The number of Covid-19 patients in Sindh has reached 161,028, Punjab has recorded 113,457 cases, 43,730 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26,177 in Islamabad and 16,699 cases have been recorded in Balochistan to date.

As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country, Sindh and Punjab have resorted to strict measures to contain the pandemic spread.

The Punjab government imposed a ban on indoor weddings and other ceremonies on Friday, implementing the NCOC’s decision, while the administration in Karachi decided to impose smart lockdowns in the city’s four districts and micro-smart lockdowns in two districts.

According to a notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Care secretary, the ban on indoor weddings would last until January 31, whereas wedding and other ceremonies would be allowed only in open spaces.

“Not more than 300 people will be allowed to gather at the public celebrations,” the notification added. “SOPs will have to be followed in open space ceremonies.” The provincial health secretary urged the people to support the Punjab government.