Pakistan records highest single-day COVID-19 deaths in nearly six months

Islamabad: Pakistan has reported 111 new deaths due to the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, government data showed on Thursday, the highest tally since the last week of June.
According to the ministry of health’s COVID-19 portal, Pakistan recorded 2,256 new infections in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of cases to 465,070, with 9,668 deaths.
After a peak of more than 6,800 daily infections in June, the numbers fell to as low as 213 in August as a second wave of the virus has swept Pakistan since last month.
Out of the total reported infections, 417,134 people have recovered while 2,361 are in critical condition. The number of active coronavirus patients was 38,268 on Thursday.
Last month, the government announced new guidelines, including mandatory face masks in public places and banning indoor dining at restaurants. Schools across the country have also been shut down, or have switched to online classes, until mid-January.
Earlier this month, the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out a complete lockdown and decided to continue its smart lockdown policy with strict implementation of safety rules. Khan has repeatedly said Pakistan’s economy cannot afford a complete lockdown and citizens would have to “live with” strict health guidelines.
The country’s last comprehensive lockdown was lifted in May.