The everyday count of coronavirus cases in Pakistan continued to soar along with all other indicators except fatalities amid the rapid spread of the latest wave of Covid-19 fuelled by the Omicron variant.

According to the data released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday morning, Pakistan has registered 4,286 infections as compared to 3,567 cases a day earlier, along with four deaths during the last 24 hours (Friday), 

The latest figures released by the NCOC suggested that after the addition of four new deaths, the overall toll has now surged to 29,003 whereas the number of total infections now stood at 1,320,120 after adding the fresh 4,286 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Friday), 52,522 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio shot up to 8.16 percent. The number of patients in critical care was 709.

https://twitter.com/OfficialNcoc/status/1482160737980063744

During the last 24 hours (Friday), as many as 2,598 patients have recovered from the virus whereas the total recoveries stood at 1,263,005. As of Saturday, the total count of active cases in the country was recorded at 28,112.

As many as 497,153 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 451,408 in Punjab, 182,100 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 110,597 in Islamabad, 33,684 in Balochistan, 34,739 in Azad Kashmir and 10,439 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, 13,087 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab so far, 7,693 in Sindh, 5,953 in KP, 968 in Islamabad, 749 in Azad Kashmir, 367 in Balochistan and 186 in Gilgit Baltistan.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Here are the global developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- PM Johnson's problems deepen -

The UK government apologises to Queen Elizabeth II, after revelations Prime Minister Boris Johnson's staff broke coronavirus restrictions by partying on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral, where she had to sit alone in church.

- Dutch relax tough Covid curb -

The Netherlands is to ease some of the toughest Covid restrictions in Europe, allowing shops, gyms, hairdressers and sex workers to reopen, Prime Minister Mark Rutte says.

Bars, restaurants, cafes and cultural locations will however remain closed until at least January 25, Rutte tells the first news conference since a new government was sworn in earlier this week.

- Hong Kong transit passenger ban -

Hong Kong bans passengers from more than 150 nations from transiting through its airport, in the latest radical measure to conform with China's zero-Covid policy.

- Jabs for 5-11s -

Norway says it will open Covid vaccinations to 5-11 year-olds on a voluntary basis but stops short of issuing an official recommendation.

Vaccinations of the same age group also start in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a month after the green light by health authorities in spite of criticisms from Covid-sceptic President Jair Bolsonaro. 

- Cases receding in New York - 

The record Omicron variant wave is beginning to recede in New York and other major US cities official data shows, with the downward trend following similar patterns seen in Britain and in South Africa.

- Polish medical advisers resign -

Thirteen of the Polish prime minister's 17 medical advisers on coronavirus resign, accusing the populist conservative government of inaction in the face of the pandemic.

- Rwanda gets tougher -

Rwandan authorities tell public sector workers to get vaccinated against Covid or resign, further tightening the strict pandemic measures which have seen people flee the country.

- Tunisians defy protest ban -

Tunisian police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting against President Kais Saied's July power grab, in defiance of a ban on gatherings over Covid.

- Swedish PM positive -

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tests positive for Covid-19, her office says, making her the third party leader to catch the disease following a meeting earlier this week.

- Six Nations games to go ahead -

Rugby Union Six Nations matches in Wales will be able to go ahead after the Welsh government announces it is easing coronavirus restrictions in the coming weeks.

- New cases at Man City -

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says that his Premier League champions have been hit by fresh coronavirus cases ahead of their match with second placed Chelsea.

- More than 5.5 million dead -

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,519,380 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Friday.

The United States has recorded the most Covid deaths with 846,488, followed by Brazil with 620,545, India on 485,350 and Russia 319,911.

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

With inputs from AFP.