Pakistan records only TWO corona deaths

As the whole world reeled from the devastating impact of Omicron variant, Pakistan has reported only two deaths and 259 infections from coronavirus during the last 24 hours (Saturday), showed the statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Sunday morning.

As per the NCOC data, after the addition of two new deaths, the overall toll has now surged to 28,872 whereas the number of total infections now stood at 1,291,108 after adding the fresh 259 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Saturday), a total of 42,640 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio stood at 0.60 percent. The number of patients in critical care was 656.

Statistics 19 Dec 21:
Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 42,640
Positive Cases: 259
Positivity %: 0.60%
Deaths : 2
Patients on Critical Care: 656

— NFRCC (@NFRCCofficial) December 19, 2021

During the last 24 hours (Saturday), as many as 251 patients have recovered from the virus whereas the total recoveries stood at 1,252,647. As of Sunday, the total count of active cases in the country was recorded at 9,589.

As many as 479,090 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 444,164 in Punjab, 180,976 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 108,259 in Islamabad, 33,551 in Balochistan, 34,640 in Azad Kashmir and 10,428 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, 13,058 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab so far, 7,649 in Sindh, 5,907 in KP, 964 in Islamabad, 745 in Azad Kashmir, 363 in Balochistan and 186 in Gilgit Baltistan.

 

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Here are the global developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- Dutch Christmas shutdown -

The Netherlands will go into "lockdown" over the Christmas period to try to stop a surge of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces.

- 'Major incident' in London -

London mayor Sadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in the British capital owing to the spread of the Omicron variant, with a record 26,418 cases reported in the last 24 hours -– the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

- German border demand -

Germany's regions call on the federal government to tighten restrictions on entry into the country, in particular on Britain, to counter Omicron.

- Young Portuguese jabbed -

Portugal, which has one of the highest levels of vaccination in the world, announces the start of a campaign targeting five to 11-year-olds, using the Pfizer vaccine

- Paris cancels fireworks -

As France's health officials report more admissions to intensive care units, Paris says it is calling off its New Year fireworks and all events on the Champs Elysees. 

- French protests -

Demonstrators rally against France's health pass for the 23rd consecutive weekend, with 25,500 people at 131 demonstrations, the interior ministry says -- 17 percent up on the previous week.

- US jab mandate restored -

A US federal appeals court reinstates a Biden administration mandate that large companies require Covid-19 vaccines or regular testing for their employees, reversing a November court ruling.

- Over 5.3 million dead - 

The coronavirus has killed at least 5,345,524 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. 

Also Read: Britain on the spot as Europe intensifies Omicron response

The US has suffered the most Covid-related deaths with 806,652, followed by Brazil with 617,601, India with 477,158 and Mexico with 297,568.

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.