Afghanistan’s Covid-19 tally tops 24,000

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 556 new positive Covid-19 cases have been detected in different parts of the country over the last 24 hours, pushing up the nation’s tally to 24,202.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said a total of 1,065 individuals underwent tests during the period and 556 tested positive for Covid-19.

Kabul recorded 253 new cases and Balkh province 74 infections during the past 24 hours, a statement from the ministry said.

At least 43 new cases were detected in Nangarhar, 28 in Takhar, 23 each in Bamyan and Kandahar, 22 in Baghlan and 20 in Maidan Wardak provinces.

Seventeen cases were found in Kunar, 12 in Logar, nine in Zabul, eight in Ghazni, eight in Nimroz, six in Daikundi, five in Helmand, three in Laghman and two in Uruzgan.

At least five people lost their lives to the pandemic and 451 others recovered during the reporting period.

In the wake of soaring cases, the government has extended closure of public and private schools and universities for another three months.

bk/sa/mud