ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday reported 19 deaths from the coronavirus, the highest single-day deaths recorded since September 1, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) which synergizes government efforts against COVID-19 said in a statement.
In August, the government announced that virtually all sectors in Pakistan shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus would be reopened that month, other than schools and marriage halls, which opened in September. Since then, there has been a slow uptick in infection numbers, which had fallen steadily since June.
About 660 people in Pakistan tested positive for the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 324,744, with 6,692 deaths.
“Total active COVID [cases] in Pakistan are 9,378 as of 21 Oct,” NCOC said, adding that 308,674 people across Pakistan had recovered so far.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s cabinet expressed concern over the spike in coronavirus cases and urged people to take necessary precautions.
Officials briefed PM Khan on the rise in the number of new cases this month as compared to July and August.
“It was noted that the rate of infection has risen to two percent, while the number of deaths has also gone up in double digits,” the statement said.
On Tuesday planning minister Asad Umar said Pakistanis were ‘recklessly’ ignoring coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs), warning that there would be an increased loss of lives and livelihoods if they didn’t change their attitude.
“Last week daily covid mortality was 12,” Umar wrote on Twitter. “This is a 140% increase vs few weeks back.
“We are collectively committing a blunder by recklessly ignoring all sop’s & the results have started to show. If we do not change our current path we will lose both lives and livelihoods.”