ISLAMABAD: 25, NOVEMBER, 2020: The number of coronavirus cases in the country has mounted to 386,198 on Thursday after more infections were reported in different parts of the country.

According to the national database, 3,306 persons tested positive for the deadly virus in 24 hours while there are a total of 43,963 active cases of the coronavirus.

As per sources, cases in Sindh climbed to 167,381 the highest number so far in the country, while the confirmed infections tally in Punjab stood at 116,506, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cases jumped to 45,828, in Balochistan 16,942 cases reported, Islamabad Capital Territory covid-19 cases reached 28,555, Gilgit-Baltistan tally up to 4,583, while 6,403 cases were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

In addition, the country has recorded 7,843 deaths so far, after 40 fatalities were reported over the last 24 hours.

As per official data, Punjab recorded 2,923 deaths, a highest number as compared to any other province while 2,866 in Sindh, 1,344 deaths were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 96 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 165 in Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory has reported 297 deaths and AJK recorded 152 deaths.

According to the NCOC, Pakistan has so far carried out 5,343,702 corona tests and 45,999 in last 24 hours and 334,392 patients have recovered. 

Reportedly, 147564 patients have been recovered in Sindh, 98145 in Punjab, 40978 in KP, 16153 in Balochistan, 22451 in Islamabad Capital Territory, 4319 in Gilgit-Baltistan while in AJK 4782 patients have been completely recovered across Pakistan whereas 1,968 patients are in a critical condition across the country.

On the other hand, all educational institutions across Pakistan have been closed from today (Thursday) till January 10, 2021 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, education ministers on Monday decided to close all educational institutes across the country from November 26 to January 10 as the country is facing the second wave of the epidemic that has claimed nearly 7,800 lives and infected over 3.8 lakh people in the country.

The students will continue their studies online till December 24, followed by winter vacations. The final decision to reopen schools in January will be based on an evaluation by related authorities, and if the coronavirus epidemic is under control, education activities will be resumed, according to the minister.

Earlier, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood said "We have decided to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuitions closed. However, online classes will be carried out from November 26 to December 24 after which winter break will start. Schools will reopen on January 11, 2021." 

All examinations will be postponed, except for a few specialized exams which will take place, he added. (04)