16,094100 COVID-19 TOLL IN PAKISTAN WITH OVER DEATHS FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT DAY
OFFICIALS TO START VACCINATING PEOPLE AGED 50 TO 59 FROM WEDNESDAY
Pakistan’s Covid-19 death toll crossed the 16,000-mark yesterday after 112 more death in 24 hours. Total fatalities reached 16,094, with the country reporting more than 100 deaths. for the fifth straight day. There were 118 deaths on Tuesday, 124 on Wednesday and 110 each on Thursday and Friday.
There are now 79,108 active cases in the country.
The National Command and Operation Centre said vaccination of people aged 50-59 will start from Wednesday.
The NCOC has asked the people of the said age group to get themselves registered and visit their nearest vaccination centres which will be working in two shifts from the said date.
Schools partially reopening
Meanwhile, schools in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are resuming classes from grades 9 to 12 from tomorrow. In Punjab, classes will be held only on Monday and Thursday, provincial education minister Murad Raas said.
Most of the commercial areas in Karachi remained open yesterday after the All Karachi Traders Union announced that traders would not follow the new timings and schedule of business markets.
The Sindh government had notified that markets would only be allowed to operate from Sehri (dawn) to 6pm.
“We have spent billions on purchasing goods before Eid al Fitr in anticipation of increase in demand. Limiting market hours will only create problems for the
common citizens,” said Atiq Mir, chairman of the union.
Vaccine supplies
Pakistan has largely relied on donated or imported Chinese vaccines, which had been offered only to health workers and elderly people. But they have not responded in overwhelming numbers, prompting officials to offer the vaccines to a younger cohort.
Pakistan hopes to receive 15 million doses through the COVAX programme by next month.