The alarm bells must be sounded all across Pakistan as the latest wave of coronavirus pandemic has now become more deadly as it claimed nine lives and infected 872 more people during the last 24 hours (Wednesday), showed the statistics released by the National Institute of Health Pakistan on Thursday morning.

As per the NIH data, the death toll in Pakistan recorded steep rise and shot up to 30,414 after registering nine fatalities whereas the number of total infections now stood at 1,540,952 after adding the fresh 872 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Wednesday), 23,125 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio shot up to 3.77 percent. The number of patients in critical care was recorded at 165.

https://twitter.com/NIH_Pakistan/status/1544859205622026240

Karachi was the most affected city keeping in view the latest Covid-19 spread and the authorities there have ruled out any lockdown despite over 500 cases were reported during the last 24 hours (Wednesday).

India records 18,930 new Covid cases, 35 deaths

India reported 18,930 new coronavirus cases and 35 more virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours. The death count now stands at 5,24,305, according to the health ministry. Currently, there are 1,19,457 active cases in India, comprising 0.27 percent of the cumulative case count. The recovery rate stands at 98.52 percent. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.32 percent.

At least 18,930 new coronavirus cases were reported in the last 24 hours in India, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases to 4,35,67,809. 

Beijing tightens Covid vaccine requirements

China’s capital city is set to require Covid vaccinations for entering gyms and some other venues, the first mandate at such scale in the country.

The vaccine requirement comes after a resurgence in new cases in Beijing, Shanghai and other parts of China in the last week.

Beijing city announced Wednesday that starting Monday, most people need to be vaccinated before entering in-person training centers, sports centers, entertainment venues and other social gathering spots.

The city said the requirement did not apply to people for whom vaccinations were not “suitable,” but said vaccinated people would get priority for entering the above venues. Many spaces operate at a lowered capacity due to Covid restrictions.

Generally only Chinese-made vaccines by Sinopharm or Sinovac are available to the public in China.

Beijing has a relatively high vaccination rate. The city said Wednesday it vaccinated 23.4 million people, including 3.6 million above the age of 60. The capital city said it had nearly 22 million long-term residents as of 2020.

Covid outbreak hits Sri Lanka on eve of Australia Test

Sri Lanka's team were hit by a Covid-19 outbreak on the eve of Friday's second Test against Australia with Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando all testing positive for the virus.

"All three players were found to be positive during a Rapid Antigen Test conducted yesterday," Sri Lanka Cricket said Thursday. 

The hosts are looking to bounce back after their crushing 10-wicket defeat inside three days in the opening Test of the two-match series.

Angelo Mathews has returned to the team after testing positive during the first Test but Praveen Jayawickrama had already been ruled out on Tuesday after testing positive for Covid.

Sri Lanka had already reinforced their spin bowling contingent with the addition of Maheesh Theekshana, Dinuth Wellalage and Prabath Jayasuriya along with all-rounder Lakshita Manasinghe, who bowls off-spin.

Lakshan Sandakan, a left-arm wrist spinner who last played a Test in 2018, was Thursday added to the squad as further cover.

With inputs from AFP.