ISLAMABAD: Forty-eight people lost their lives to Covid-19 and 6,377 individuals tested positive across the country on Friday. The national positivity rate stood at 9.9 per cent.

According to statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the number of active cases rose to 64,121 on Friday while 1,618 patients were in critical care.

Over the past 24 hours, Sindh reported the highest number of deaths at 20, while 18 died in Punjab, eight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir. No one died in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The total number of cases now stands at 1,448,663 (1.4 million) while the death toll is 29,420.

According to the government’s database for tracking the spread of coronavirus, 4,566 people had recovered over the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,317,385 (1.3m).

The number of active cases stands at 101,858 while 1,618 patients are in critical condition.

On the other hand, the Ministry of National Health Services has advised citizens to get vaccinated and wear face masks.

In its official tweet on Friday, the ministry said: “Pakistan has hit a new vaccination milestone—over 180 million vaccines have been administered. As the Omicron variant spreads, it is more important than ever to get yourself vaccinated.”

In a separate video message, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan tried to address concerns about the effects of Covid vaccines, saying all vaccines were safe. “Don’t be lazy to get the booster dose.”

He said vaccines were the best protection against coronavirus and people should get their booster shot as soon as possible. “Booster shots are free of cost, are available at all vaccination centres and one can take any vaccine as a booster.”

Dr Sultan said a booster dose was administered six months after the second dose. In order to avoid spread of Covid-19, there was a dire need to follow standard operating procedures, he added.

Last month, the NCOC banned indoor gatherings, weddings and indoor dining in districts and cities where the positivity rate was above 10pc. The curbs were needed to tackle the fifth wave, the NCOC said.

Earlier this week, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar unveiled a two-week-long home vaccination campaign that aims to administer over 35 million vaccine shots to fight the pandemic.

The government has set a target of administering more than 35 million vaccine doses.

A study has found that areas with high vaccination rates are more protected from the dangerous effects of Covid-19 since vaccinated people show mild symptoms.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2022