Pakistan has witnessed a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases by around 50 per cent ever since the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) eased restrictions late last month, reports said here on Saturday.

As many as 1,714 new cases were reported along with 38 deaths in a single day while the number of active cases increased to 17,352 on March 6, Dawn reported.

On February 24, the NCOC had announced the relaxation of most coronavirus-related restrictions on commercial activities, schools, offices and other workplaces, allowing them to function at full strength. Under the directives, the time limit on commercial activities had been lifted while condition of 50pc attendance at workplaces removed.

Schools were asked to function five days a week while permission to hold indoor wedding ceremonies and opening of cinemas and shrines was granted with effect from March 15.

The decision on whether to allow indoor dining will however depend on the outcome of a review meeting to be held on March 10.

The NCOC had also allowed an increase in the number of spectators attending the Pakistan Super League matches from 20 per cent to 50 per cent and permitted full attendance during play-offs with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). However, the tournament was postponed on March 4 after some players were found infected by Covid-19.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was also given the go-ahead to hold local bodies and cantonment board elections by the end of May or early June.

According to the NCOC data, 1,176 cases were recorded on February 27 and 1,163 on March 1, but the number suddenly increased to 1,388 on March 2 and 1,519 on March 4.

The data released on Saturday showed that 1,714 cases, which is around 50 per cent rise in less than two weeks, and 38 casualties were reported in a single day.

As many as 210 ventilators were in use across the country with Lahore having 34 per cent occupancy rate, followed by Islamabad, 32 per cent; Peshawar, 21 per cent and Multan, 17 per cent.

Data on oxygenated beds showed that Gujrat had a 94 percent occupancy ratio, Peshawar, 38 percent; Multan, 30 percent and in Islamabad 26 percent beds were in use.

A total of 2,002 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country on Saturday.

According to a document, available with Dawn, there are 18 oxygenated beds in Gujrat, out of which 17 were in use.

An official of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), requesting anonymity, said efforts were being made to break the chain of the virus.

(IBNS/UNI)