Alarming situation: 55 more succumb to COVID-19 as country records rapid rise in infections

(Karachi) Pakistan has recorded 55 deaths due to coronavirus while 3,262 new cases have been reported in last 24 hours across the country, local media reported on Friday.

With more fatalities, the total death tally due to the deadly disease has reached 8,260.

As per details, 3,262 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours while 3,354 patients have recovered from the virus. Of them, 2,395 patients are in critical condition. The total number of infections in the country now currently stands at 410,072.

Meanwhile, 44,627 tests were conducted across the country during this period. 350,305 people have recovered from the deadly disease while 5,672,166 samples have been tested thus far.

The coronavirus positivity ratio in the country fell to six percent on December 1. Later, the positivity rate across the country reached its highest level of 7.46 percent.

The National Command and Operation Centre stated that five major cities of the country, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Hyderabad and Peshawar were contributing 70 percent of coronavirus spread. The forum urged the public to follow SOPs and guidelines to curb spread of the disease.

On November 30, Planning Minister Asad Umar said that the NCOC has finalized its recommendations for procurement of coronavirus vaccine.

The Government of Pakistan allocated an initial funds of $150 million to buy a COVID-19 vaccine directly from international manufacturers by the second quarter of 2021. It hopes to start immunizing its 220 million population soon.