ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, like many other countries, this Eid-ul-Fitr has been marred by the third surge of coronavirus infection. The first day of the festival proved to be not auspicious for everyone as more than 2,500 new cases were detected in the country.

• 30,700 people were sampled in the past 24 hours out of which 2,517 tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection.

As per the latest statistics of the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC), Pakistan's Covid-19 figures are as follows:

Total cases: 873,220New Cases:  2,517Total Tests in Last 24  Hours: 30,700Positivity Rate: 8.19%Total Deaths: 19,384New Deaths: 48 

Eid is being observed with religious zeal and fervor in the country. We must remember this Eid is not the usual one and should celebrate it according to the Covid SOPs put in place by the local authorities to curb the spread of the lethal flu bug in the country.

"Stay home and stay safe" should be our motto during the festival holidays so we can flatten our Covid curve once more. We must also remember the patients who are admitted to the hospitals battling with the deadly disease in our prayers. May the world get rid of this malady soon, Amen!