By Abdullah Zahid.
Pakistan’s novel coronavirus death toll has surged to 8,832 as the virus claimed 36 lives in the past 24 hours, data issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) showed Monday.
The country also reported 2,362 new infections, bringing the total tally to 440,787. The number of active cases in the country has climbed to 47,236, out of whom 2,456 people are under critical care. With 1,719 surviving the virus, the recoveries have climbed to 384,719.
In the last 24 hours, 92 healthcare workers have tested positive for covid-19 across the country, as per NCOC data.
Pakistan has been hit by the second wave of coronavirus, compelling the authorities to shut down educational institutions across the country and announce new restrictions to contain the spread of the virus.
The federal government has already made face masks mandatory in public spaces, limited large public gatherings to 300, banned indoor weddings, closed shrines, cinemas, and theatres, and instructed public and private offices to adopt work-from-home policy and 50% occupancy.
The federal government has also announced that educational institutes will remain closed from November 26 to January 10. The students will study at home or get weekly homework till December 24 and winter vacations will start December 25. The schools will reopen on January 11 – which is subject to coronavirus situation then. All examinations have been postponed except admission and recruitment tests.
Furthermore, all provinces have banned indoor dining and limited timings for markets, shops, and shopping malls. Many areas in the country have been placed under smart lockdowns.
