ISLAMABAD, May 23 (NNN-APP) – The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan increased to 900,552, after 3,084 more people tested positive during the last 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said, this morning.
The country’s eastern Punjab province is the worst-hit region with 333,971 confirmed cases, followed by southern Sindh province, where 308,118 people have been tested positive, said the NCOC, a department that is leading the country’s fight against the pandemic.
A total of 817,681 people have recovered, with 62,620 active cases, including 4,392 people who are in critical condition.
According to the NCOC, 74 people died across the country during the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 20,251.
The country administered a total of 4,956,853 vaccine doses till this morning, including 1,193,441 persons who have been fully vaccinated. Pakistan is currently vaccinating people of 30 years and above, besides allowing walk-in vaccination for citizens aged 18 and above, who intend to travel abroad.
Last night, the NCOC directed the country’s provinces to reverse their decision to reopen schools in high virus positivity areas tomorrow, because the new statistics are ringing alarm bells, as the country is battling with the third wave of COVID-19.
According to local media reports, Sindh province is considering imposing a strict lockdown, in cities having a high positivity ratio, including the southern port city of Karachi. The provincial government reportedly sought input from different departments and a decision regarding it is likely to be taken tomorrow.
