As there was no let-up in the third Covid-19 wave, Pakistan has recorded another 40 deaths by coronavirus and 3,449 infections during the last 24 hours (Thursday), showed the figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday morning.

As per the NCOC data, after the addition of new infections, the number of positive cases has now surged to 619,259. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 13,757 on Friday, after adding the 40 new ones.

As usual, Sindh remained the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Most number of casualties has been reported in Punjab.

As many as 262,503 coronavirus cases have so far been confirmed in Sindh, 193,054 in Punjab, 77,972 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 19,290 in Balochistan, 50,096 in Islamabad, 11,377 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 4,967 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

As many as 5,919 individuals have so far lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab, 4,473 in Sindh, 2,196 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 202 in Balochistan, 536 in Islamabad, 328 in Azad Kashmir and 103 in Gilgit Baltistan.

Pakistan has so far conducted 9,691,087 coronavirus tests and 42,845 during the last 24 hours (Thursday). As many as 578,314 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country so far whereas 2,064 patients were in critical condition.

Global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- AstraZeneca verdict -

Europe's medical regulator says that it has found the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to be "safe and effective" and not linked to an increased risk of blood clots, after a chaotic week that saw more than a dozen countries suspend its use.

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovenia and Bulgaria say they will restart the vaccinations.

- More than 400 million get shots - 

The number of vaccine doses administered around the world passes the 400 million mark, according to an AFP tally.

- Partial Paris lockdown -

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a limited month-long lockdown for Paris and several other regions, including the closure of non-essential businesses and restrictions on movement.

Under the plan schools will stay open and outdoor exercise allowed up to 10 kilometres (6 miles) from home.

- US cases plateau -  

The rate of new coronavirus infections is plateauing in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  a warning sign that has previously predicted new surges.

- UK jab campaign snag -

Britain insists its plan to ease lockdown restrictions in the coming months remains on track despite its vaunted vaccination programme facing a potential pause in April.

"There is no change to the next steps of the roadmap," stresses Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is due to get his own AstraZeneca jab on Friday.

- Italy mourns the dead -

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi pays tribute to the more than 103,000 people who have died of Covid-19 in the country, travelling to Bergamo, the northern province that became known as "Italy's Wuhan" as it became Europe's first major virus flashpoint a year ago, during a national day of mourning for the dead.

- Tighter curbs for Bulgaria, Ukraine - 

Bulgaria will from Monday close schools, kindergartens, restaurants, casinos, shopping malls, fitness centres, cinemas, theatres, museums, concert halls and swimming pools for 10 days, amid rising coronavirus cases and deaths.

And in Ukraine's capital Kiev, cultural venues will be shut, sports fans barred from stadiums, restaurants limited to takeouts and large shopping centres closed from the weekend.

- Syrian hospital beds full -

Intensive care beds for coronavirus patients in Syria's capital Damascus are full, a health ministry official says, in the first such announcement since the start of the pandemic.

- US vaccines for Mexico - 

The United States agrees to send millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines to neighbouring Mexico, the country with the world's third highest death toll.

- 2.6 million dead -

At least 2,682,032 million people have died of coronavirus around the world since the outbreak began in December 2019.

The US is the worst-affected country with 538,093 deaths followed by Brazil (284,775), Mexico (195,908), India (159,216) and Britain (125,831).

With inputs from AFP