As the fifth wave of Covid-19 hits the country with an alarming rise of the Omicron variant, Pakistan recorded highest number of single-day cases since the pandemic emerged with 7, 678 new infections reported during the last 24 hours.

The positivity rate also reached an alarming level of 12.93 per cent across the country.

The fatalities were also recorded in double digit with 23 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total toll to 29,065 mark, according to the National Command and Operation Centre data.

Last time, the country recorded the highest number of infections on June 14, 2020 with 6,825 people infected with the virus in a single day.

Currently, 961 Covid-19 patients are on critical care.

Sindh topped the positive cases during the last 24 hours with 3,828 new infections recorded across the province followed by Punjab with 1,887 Covid-19 cases.

At least 78 million people have been fully vaccinated against the pandemic across the country.

In a bid to contain the virus, the NCOC issued new curbs on Jan 19. But according to a revised notification issued by the body on Thursday, indoor dining ban on cities and districts with more than 10 per cent positivity rate will be effective from Jan 21 (today), instead of Jan 24 which was mentioned in the earlier notification.

The Sindh Home Department also decided to ban indoor dining in Karachi and Hyderabad from Friday (today), reported Business Recorder.

In another Covid-19 blow to Islamabad courts, at least 15 judges and 58 staff members were tested positive for the virus following by closure of the courts concerned on Friday (today), reported Aaj News.

According to the court sources, officials will disinfect the court rooms where the lawyers and judges, who tested positive for the virus, worked.