Pakistan has reported an uptick in its everyday number of Covid-19 infections as the country took in 70 more cases with no fatality during the last 24 hours, showed the data released by the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday morning. According to the NIH data, the death toll in the country remained the same at 30,654 whereas the number of total infections now soared to 1,580,327 after adding the fresh 70 cases. During the last 24 hours, 3,695 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio slumped to 1.89%. The number of patients in critical care stood at 17. India reports 11,109 fresh Covid cases

India recorded 11,109 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday, marking a continuous surge on fifth consecutive day this week. On Thursday, the country had reported 10,158 cases while on Wednesday the tally stood at 7,830 cases. A total of 4,42,16,583 people have recuperated so far with the recovery rate maintained at 98.71%. Meanwhile, with 29 new fatalities, the death toll due the disease has increased to 5,31,064. The fatality rate stands at 1.19%, the health ministry data revealed.

Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases, medical experts have said the virus' new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the surge. However, they maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get their booster shots. They also said this rise in the number of cases could be the result of more people getting themselves tested for Covid as a precaution when they actually get infected with the influenza virus and develop fever and related symptoms. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said the rise in the number of influenza cases is due to the Influenza A sub-type H3N2. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisation than the other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP