In the past 24 hours, 482 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan — the highest number of new cases in the country in nearly four weeks.
Sindh reported the highest number of new cases, with 285 in the province. In Punjab, 110 cases were reported; 49 cases were reported in Khyber Paktunkwha (KP); 31 cases in Islamabad; 4 cases in Balochistan; and 3 cases in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Three deaths due to Covid-19 were reported in KP. No new cases have been reported from Gilgit-Baltistan in the past 10 days.
It is unclear if the surge of new cases in Pakistan is due to the Omicron variant. The first case of Omicron was reported in Karachi in early December, while Punjab reported its first Omicron-variant case earlier this week.
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), took to Twitter to remind citizens to wear a mask and ensure social distancing. It also heralded that 46% of the eligible population in the country is vaccinated.
30% of country’s total population and 46% of eligible population stand vaccinated! 🇵🇰 ! In wake of rising threat of Omicron, please get yourself fully vaccinated and follow SOPs! Wear mask, avoid crowded places and ensure social distancing!
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) December 30, 2021
Vaccination centers will be closed on January 1 and 2 for New Years celebrations, but will reopen on January 3.
An increased number of Covid-19 cases are being recorded worldwide, as the contagious new variant, Omicron, takes hold during the winter months. In the United States, an average of 265,000 new cases are being reported each day, the highest level on record for the country.
