Pakistan reports 2,165 Covid-19 cases, 17 deaths

As the second wave of coronavirus pandemic is affecting the country at an alarming rate, another 2,165 people tested positive for the virus during the past 24 hours (Friday), making it the second consecutive day with over 2,100 new cases with a rising rate of hospitalisation.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Mehmood Jan as well as his wife and son contracted the virus after which they self-isolated themselves at their home.    

According to the latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre on Saturday morning, the overall number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has jumped to 354,461.

On the other hand, 17 people died of the coronavirus infection on Friday, which means the death currently stands at 7,109.    

Earlier, Pakistan had experienced its worst day since the middle of July with 2,304 new cases and 37 deaths on Thursday.

Currently, the region-wise distribution of the infections is given as: Sindh 153,873, Punjab 109,309, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 41,723, Islamabad 23,533, Balochistan 16,328, Azad Kashmir 5,261 and Gilgit-Baltistan 4,434.

It means Sindh reported over 800 new cases followed by around 500 in Punjab and more 400 in Islamabad.

Just like recent days, the higher infection rate is causing a sustained increase in active cases which have increased to 24,938, overburdening an already fragile healthcare system. 

This disturbing trend means the country has been witnessing a surge of over 1,000 in active cases every day for the last four days. 

Out of the hospitalised patients, 1,316 are in intensive care units due to their critical condition. Moreover, 204 of the critically-ill patients have been placed on ventilators.

Meanwhile, the number of people fully recovering from the infection has reached 322,414 with the addition of 851, which means a total of 329,523 cases have so far closed [deaths + number of people recovering from infection] in the country.

The day also saw 34,535 tests being administered in different parts of the country after which the overall number reached 4,881,640.

Latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- New York shuts early -

In the United States, the country hardest hit by Covid-19, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo orders all establishments licensed to sell alcohol to close at 10 pm to help save hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

- Elon Musk tests positive and negative -

Tesla founder Elon Musk says he tested both positive and negative for the novel coronavirus, expressing scepticism about the results. 

"Something extremely bogus is going on. Was tested for covid four times today," Musk tweets. "Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse."

G20 debt -

G20 nations declare a "common framework" for an extended debt restructuring plan for coronavirus-ravaged developing countries, but campaigners caution that more is needed to alleviate a "wave of debt crises".

- Dutch outlaw fireworks -

The Dutch government outlaws traditional fireworks over New Year to help ease the burden on hospital workers. 

New Year's celebrations in the Netherlands are notoriously wild, with people setting off tens of millions of euros (dollars) worth of fireworks in back gardens and streets, often causing injuries.

- France to delay regional elections -

The French government is to propose delaying regional and departmental elections from March to June next year given uncertainties caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

- WHO insists whole world must have access to vaccine -

The head of the World Health Organization hails the rapid progress towards a Covid-19 vaccine but insists that every country must reap the benefits.

"A vaccine will be a vital tool for controlling the pandemic, and we're encouraged by the preliminary results of clinical trials released this week," says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

- Israel seals deal for coronavirus vaccines -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government has clinched a deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to buy eight million doses of its potentially game-changing coronavirus vaccine.

- Naples primes for new virus curbs -

The southern Italian city of Naples braces for further coronavirus restrictions as hospitals risk becoming overwhelmed by new cases, with medics forced to treat patients in their cars.

- Microsoft clamps down on cyber attacks -

Microsoft urges a crackdown on cyber attacks perpetrated by states and "malign actors" after a spate of hacks disrupts healthcare organisations fighting the coronavirus.

"In recent months, we've detected cyberattacks from three nation-state actors targeting seven prominent companies directly involved in researching vaccines and treatments for Covid-19," says Microsoft's vice-president for security issues Tom Burt.

- Nearly 1.3 million dead -

The virus has claimed at least 1,294,539 lives worldwide since it first emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP tally on Friday at 1100 GMT based on official sources.

More than 52,775,840 cases have been registered across the globe.

The United States is the worst-affected country with 242,435 deaths, followed by Brazil with 164,281, India with 128,668, Mexico with 97,056 and the United Kingdom with 50,928 deaths.

- Chile reopens for air travel -

Chile said it was lifting restrictions on air travel. Curbs have been in place since March with only skeleton international services allowed. Land and sea borders however will remain closed.

- Footballers hit - 

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah tests positive for Covid-19, but shows no symptoms, according to the Egyptian Football Association. 

An eighth member of German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim has been infected. Croatia and Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida and Monaco forward Wissam Ben Yedder have also tested positive.

Malaysia's Johor JDT II team withdraws from Asia's Champions League after authorities refuse to let them travel to the tournament.

With inputs from AFP.