Pakistan records six deaths, 360 cases in a day

Islamabad: Pakistan has reported six more deaths in a day, taking the death toll to 28,878 on Monday.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 360 more people were infected with the coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,291,467.

Pakistan has so far conducted 22,864,737 coronavirus tests. A total of 43,242 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, out of which 360 turned out to be positive, showing an infection rate of 0.83 as compared to yesterday’s 0.6 per cent.

The NCOC said that 1,253,001 patients have recovered in the country whereas 666 patients are in critical condition at present.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,059 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,652 in Sindh 5,909 in KP, 964 in Islamabad, 745 in Azad Kashmir, 363 in Balochistan, and 186 in GB.

Furthermore 479,326 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 444,216 in Punjab 181,011 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 108,285 in Islamabad, 34,642 in Azad Kashmir 33,558 in Balochistan and 10,429 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Earlier on December 17, Pakistan had reported a second case of Omicron variant in Karachi and suspected patient fled from the quarantine on Friday. 

According to the sources in Sindh Health Department, the 35-year-old infected individual travelled to Karachi from UK and first tested positive for coronavirus in random checking.

The sources also said that the Omicron infection was confirmed in the affected person later through genome sequencing and the infected person fled from the quarantine centre after being shifted to a private hotel on Shahrae Faisal from the airport.

It was also reported that 19 people are currently quarantined at the hotel, but the authorities concerned haven't provided security as yet. It added that 38 people have managed to flee quarantine due to the absence of security. 

Meanwhile, the home department, police and relevant deputy commissioner are responsible for providing security at the quarantine centres.

The provincial Health Department sources further maintained that Pakistan has restricted travel to and from countries falling under Category C and those affected by the Omicron outbreak. However, Britain doesn't fall under Category C.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan confirmed first case of coronavirus’ newly discovered variant ‘Omicron’ in a female citizen, GNN reported.

According to Sindh Health Department, a private hospital in Karachi reported the first case of omicron in a female patient— who had arrived from a foreign country.

As per preliminary reports, the 65-year-old patient, who was unvaccinated, is stable. The health department said that they are trying to verify her travel history. 

The authorities further added that the woman is staying in medical facility and the government is trying detect her close contacts.

The approved health procedures, however, were completed.

Omicron has been detected in Pakistan, in less than a month after the new variant first discovered in South Africa.

So far, Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 57 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan confirmed first case of coronavirus’ newly discovered variant ‘Omicron’ in a female citizen, GNN reported.

According to Sindh Health Department, a private hospital in Karachi reported the first case of omicron in a female patient— who had arrived from a foreign country.

As per preliminary reports, the 65-year-old patient, who was unvaccinated, is stable. The health department said that they are trying to verify her travel history. 

The authorities further added that the woman is staying in medical facility and the government is trying detect her close contacts.

The approved health procedures, however, were completed.

Omicron has been detected in Pakistan, in less than a month after the new variant first discovered in South Africa.

So far, Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 57 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.