By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan has once again reported more than 2,000 new virus cases after seeing a decline earlier this week, the country’s Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, the total number of infections in the country reached 440,787 as 2,142 new cases were reported. Nearly 35,620 tests were conducted over the past day.
The South Asian country of 220 million people had registered 1,792 cases on Monday, while 1,704 on Tuesday.
Pakistan also registered 84 new virus-linked fatalities, raising the death toll to 9,557. So far 415,352 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
At least 2,419 patients are in critical condition across the country, the Health Ministry said.
To contain the second wave, authorities have reimposed lockdowns in virus-affected zones, along with a general ban on public meetings and rallies.
On Tuesday, Dr Faisal Sultan, special assistant to prime minister on national health services, said Pakistan will receive first shipments of coronavirus vaccines by March next year as his government is negotiating with three pharmaceutical companies.