Pakistan witnesses second consecutive day with 100 Covid-19 fatalities

KARACHI/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:

The country on Saturday reported at least 100 deaths from Covid-19 – the second consecutive day for such grim statistics – and recorded 5,139 cases during the previous 24-hour period. 

Most of the fatalities occurred in Punjab followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Out of the 100 deaths, 93 succumbed to the disease while under treatment in a hospital, out of which 31 were on ventilator support. 

The highest number of Covid-19 cases have so far been recorded in Sindh at 268,284, followed by Punjab with 245,923 cases, KP with 97,318, 64,902 cases in ICT, Balochistan with 20,178 cases, AJK with 14,260 cases, and Gilgit Baltistan with 5,103 cases.

At least 15,329 people have fallen prey to the pandemic in the country.

Also Read: Despite third Covid wave, mosques to open doors for Taraweeh in Ramazan

On March 12, Federal minister and NCOC chief Asad Umar confirmed that the third wave of Covid-19 had started in Pakistan, attributing the rising number of cases to the virus' UK strain.

"Yes, there is no doubt that the third wave has started and basically, the phenomena that's driving it is the spread of the UK strain," Umar said while talking to a private news channel.

The country has been undergoing smart lockdowns in all the applicable localities that report an increase in cases with authorities are urging citizens to practise all necessary SOP's including sanitizing one's hands and wearing mandatory facemasks.