84 more succumb to virus
84 more COVID-19 patients lost their lives on Thursday, December 17, taking the total number of case fatalities from the beginning of the month till date to 998. According to data issued by the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC), December 15 proved to be the deadliest day since the outbreak of the second wave, with 105 reported casualties. The death rate however remains at 2.0% against a global average of 2.2%.
Meanwhile, the national positivity rate currently stands at 6.3%.
Parts of Karachi under smart lockdown
Several localities of Karachi’s District Central have been put under smart lockdowns that will be lifted on December 31. Per the restrictions, pillion riding has been banned, and only pharmacies, grocery stores and dairy shops have been allowed to remain. City authorities have further identified 22 areas of District Korangi, 21 areas of District East and District South, 14 areas of District West and 13 areas of District Malir as virus hotpots.
Sindh home department to close madrasas
The Sindh home department has issued a notification for the suspension of all educational activities in religious seminaries across province. The order was issued under section 3(1) of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014, which empowers authorities to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic diseases.