Daily Times

The Sindh Health Department Thursday said the Covid-19 positivity rate in the port city of Karachi had risen above 21% after 138 more people tested positive.

With a positivity rate of 21.23%, the city has the highest number of cases of any town or city in the country with more half the reported national cases emerging from Karachi. The health department’s data showed that a total of 650 patients were tested for the virus in the provincial capital and 138 tested positive in the last 24 hours.

According to the government’s official Covid website, 268 people tested positive across the country over the past 24-hour period after 12,513 tests were conducted. One fatality was also recorded.

According to the NCOC, overall the country detected 268 new cases – marking the second day of more than 200 daily cases – on Thursday and the nationwide positivity rate stood at 2.14pc.

In the last 24 hours, one person lost their life from the virus, says a news report. During a NCOC meeting on Wednesday, it was noted that 85pc of the eligible population had been fully vaccinated and 93pc had been partially vaccinated. Besides, 100pc eligible population in Sindh had been fully vaccinated.

The meeting, which was chaired by Federal Minister of National Health Services (NHS) Abdul Qadir Patel in Islamabad, advised all provinces and regions to administer booster doses on a priority basis to further improve protection against Covid transmission.

“In view of the global pandemic situation, the Central Health Establishment (CHE) should strictly monitor the health status of incoming passengers at points of entry. The CHE will be strengthened to enhance the functionality,” Patel said.

The CHE monitors health-related developments within and outside the country and issues advisories and takes steps to stop the spread of diseases.

The minister further emphasized the importance of precautions, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, especially in crowded places. He also highlighted the need to strictly follow the guidelines for managing markets for Eidul Azha.

According to the government’s official Covid website, 268 people tested positive across the country over the past 24-hour hours after 12,513 tests were conducted. One fatality was also recorded.

Data further showed that Abbottabad had the second-highest positivity ratio at 8.7% as two people tested positive in the past 24 hours.

Peshawar stood third, with a 3.36% positivity rate, with 19 citizens testing positive on Wednesday.