Pakistan warns of ‘stronger restrictions’ as COVID-19 cases hit single-day high this year

People sit beside closed shops after been sealed by authorities for violating Covid-19 coronavirus prevention guidelines in Karachi on December 10, 2020, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Pakistan. (AFP/File)

• 3,495 new infections and 61 deaths reported in the past 24 hours
• Planning minister says hospital admissions and critical care patient numbers fast rising 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported 3,495 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, government data showed on Thursday, the highest tally since the start of this year, as a top government minister warned of stricter restrictions if people did not follow health guidelines. 
With the latest numbers, Pakistan’s total coronavirus cases have reached 615,810, with 13,717 deaths since the start of the outbreak in February last year. On Thursday, the national positivity rate was 7.88 percent. 
“Sharp spike in COVID positivity,” said planning minister Asad Umar, who also heads the Pakistan government’s central body dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).
“Hospital daily admissions & people in critical care rising fast. If sop [standard operating procedure] compliance does not improve, we will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities. Please be very very careful. The new strain spreads faster and is more deadly.”

Sharp spike in covid positivity. Hospital daily admissions & people in critical care rising fast. If sop compliance does not improve, we will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities. Please be very very careful. The new strain spreads faster and is more deadly.

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 18, 2021

Authorities had opened up almost all sectors of society in previous months but earlier this month reversed a decision to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, theaters and marriage halls. Schools were also closed again for two weeks from March 15.
The Pakistani capital, Islamabad, and Punjab have imposed partial lockdowns to stop the spread of the coronavirus as Asad Umar said earlier this month there was “no doubt” Pakistan was facing a third wave of the coronavirus.
The Sindh government this week also imposed new restrictions in the province till April 15. These include that all businesses except pharmacies, clinics, petrol pumps, grocery stores and restaurants, would close by 10pm; amusement parks would close by 6pm; only 50% staff would be allowed at public and private sector offices; and no indoor weddings or dining at restaurants would be allowed.