As the coronavirus pandemic impacted deep across Pakistan, the country has recorded 135 deaths during the last 24 hours (Tuesday) - the highest number of deaths in a single day since June 2020, showed the figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday morning.

According to the latest NCOC statistics, 4,681 fresh cases were also reported during the last 24 hours (Tuesday), taking the number of total confirmed cases to 734,423 whereas the death toll has surged to 15,754 after the addition of 135 new fatalities.

During the past 24 hours (Tuesday)), 3,645 patients have recovered from the virus while the total recoveries stood at 641,912. As of Wednesday, the total count of active cases was recorded at 76,757 and the positivity rate stood at 9.73 percent.

As many as 269,840 coronavirus cases have now been confirmed in Sindh, 255,571 in Punjab, 101,045 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 67,491 in Islamabad, 20,499 in Balochistan, 14,837 in Azad Kashmir and 5,140 in Gilgit Baltistan.

Moreover, 7,141 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab, 4,530 in Sindh, 2,732 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 619 in Islamabad, 410 in Azad Kashmir, 219 in Balochistan and 103 in Gilgit Baltistan.

The health facilities across the country conducted 48,092 coronavirus detection tests, taking the total number of COVID-19 tests to 10,878, 086 since the first case was reported.

Punjab: Authorities reported 79 deaths due to the coronavirus, raising total casualties to 7,141. The province now has 255,571 confirmed cases; it reported 2,775 new infections after conducting 22,781 tests, a positivity ratio of 12.18 percent. There were 1,694 new recoveries recorded, leaving 207,606 fully recovered, and 40,824 active cases of the virus.

Sindh: Confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Sindh have now climbed to 269,840; it reported 366 new infections after conducting 10,176 tests, a positivity ratio of 3.6 percent. The province reported no new deaths, maintaining toll at 4,530, while its recoveries rose by 583 to 258,533. Overall, the province now has 6,777 active cases of the novel coronavirus.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: During the past 24 hours (Tuesday), the provincial government recorded 770 new infections after conducting 6,874 tests, a positivity ratio of 11.2 percent. Overall, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s confirmed cases have climbed to 101,045. It recorded 49 new deaths and 701 recoveries, raising toll to 2,732 and recoveries to 85,223. There are currently 13,090 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.

Balochistan: The province raised its confirmed cases to 20,499 with 102 new infections after conducting 1,230 tests, a positivity ratio of 8.29 percent. There were 2 deaths and 38 recoveries in the past 24 hours, leaving 219 fatalities and 19,435 fully recovered. There are now 845 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.

Islamabad: The federal capital raised its confirmed coronavirus cases by 508 to 67,491 after conducting 5,493 tests; a positivity ratio of 9.25 percent. There were 2 deaths and 520 recoveries in the past 24 hours, leaving 619 casualties; 53,961 recovered; and 12,911 active cases.

Gilgit-Baltistan: GB recorded 10 new cases of COVID-19 after conducting 535 tests, a positivity ratio of 1.87 percent; it now has 5,140 confirmed cases. The region reported no new deaths and 5 recoveries, leaving 103 fatalities and 4,933 fully recovered people. There are currently 104 active cases of COVID-19 in the region.

Azad Kashmir: In AJK, confirmed cases rose by 150 to 14,837 after conducting 1,003 tests, a positivity ratio of 14.95 percent. There were 3 deaths and 104 recoveries in the past 24 hours, leaving 410 fatalities and 12,221 fully recovered. It now has 2,206 active cases of COVID-19.

Global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- J&J setbacks -

Top US health authorities recommend a "pause" in the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine as they investigate any links between it and blood clots.

Following the announcement, Johnson & Johnson says it will delay the rollout of the vaccine in Europe, and South Africa also suspends use of the jab.

- New Indian state restrictions -

India's richest state Maharashtra imposes tougher lockdown measures, involving the closure of non-essential shops, including in regional capital Mumbai.

- France suspends Brazil flights -

France suspends all flights to and from Brazil to curb the spread of a new Covid-19 variant found there.

- Live animal sale ban? -

The World Health Organization calls for a halt to the sale of live wild mammals in food markets to prevent the emergence of new diseases.

- Ramadan under a cloud -

Surging cases in many parts of the world overshadow the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with festivities curtailed by contagion fears. 

- Berlin powers up -

The German government agrees on controversial changes to a national infections control law, handing Berlin more power to impose tougher measures such as night-time curfews to halt the raging pandemic.

- UK hits jabs target -

Britain says it has met its target to offer by April 15 a first vaccine dose to all over-50s, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers.

- Alcohol back in Norway -

Norway will again allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol as part of a gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions.

- 2.9 million dead -

At least 2,947,319 people have died of Covid-19 around the world since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

The United States is the worst-affected country with 562,533 deaths, followed by Brazil with 354,617, Mexico with 209,702, India with 171,058 and Britain with 127,100.

With inputs from AFP.