Pakistan has recorded another seven deaths and 232 infections from the coronavirus pandemic during the last 24 hours (Monday), showed the figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday morning.

As per the NCOC data, after the addition of seven new deaths, the overall toll has now surged to 28,784 whereas the number of total infections now stood at 1,287,393 after adding the fresh 232 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Monday), a total of 41,062 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio stood at 0.56 percent. The number of patients in critical care was 813.

https://twitter.com/OfficialNcoc/status/1468023935988125707

During the last 24 hours (Monday), as many as 319 patients have recovered from the virus whereas the total recoveries stood at 1,246,783. As of Tuesday, the total count of active cases in the country was recorded at 11,826.

As many as 476,958 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 443,560 in Punjab, 180,412 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 107,960 in Islamabad, 33,509 in Balochistan, 34,580 in Azad Kashmir and 10,414 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, 13,042 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab so far, 7,627 in Sindh, 5,864 in KP, 961 in Islamabad, 742 in Azad Kashmir, 362 in Balochistan and 186 in Gilgit Baltistan.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Here are the global developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- S.Africa cases rocket -

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urges citizens to get vaccinated fast as daily infections jump five-fold in a week because of the Omicron variant.

- NY vaccine mandate - 

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announces a blanket Covid-19 vaccine mandate for the private sector in the United States' biggest city, starting from December 27.

- French nightclubs shuttered -

Nightclubs in France are ordered to close for four weeks starting this weekend and the government imposes stricter social distancing and extends the use of face masks in schools to counter surging Covid cases.

- Cases in Namibia -

Namibia's President Hage Geingob announces 18 cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have been detected in the country, which was forced to dispose of 150,000 expired vaccine doses.

- Russia, Argentina Omicron cases -

Russia registers its first two cases of Omicron in its nationals returning from South Africa. 

And Argentina records its first case, also in a traveller from South Africa.

- Unjabbed Italians barred -

Unvaccinated Italians are now not allowed into theatres, cinemas, live music venues and major sporting events as new rules come into effect.

- Drug cleared -

The European Union's drug regulator clears the arthritis treatment tocilizumab for use in patients hospitalised with severe Covid, saying it reduces the risk of death.

- Greece: Jabs for kids -

Greek health authorities green light vaccination for children aged 5-11 from December 15, as the country fights an upsurge in cases.

- More than 5.2 million dead - 

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,253,726 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. 

The US has suffered the most Covid-related deaths with 788,364, followed by Brazil with 615,636, India with 473,537, Mexico with 295,203 and Russia with 282,462.

The countries with the most new deaths are Russia with 1,184, followed by Ukraine with 239 and India with 211.

Taking into account excess mortality linked to Covid-19, the World Health Organization estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.

With inputs from AFP.