pakistan 
The Covid-19 positivity ratio in Karachi has reached 23 per cent due to the presence of the Delta variant in Pakistan’s major port city as reports came of major hospitals being overwhelmed due to a high influx of infected people.
The positivity ratio flew past 20 per cent in less than a week and the city’s hospitals are grappling to accommodate patients.
As per Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the positivity ratio hit 25 per cent on Monday.
His adviser Murtaza Wahab, on Monday, warned that the Covid-19 situation in Karachi had become “dangerous, concerning, alarming” ahead of the upcoming Eidul Azha holidays.
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Wahab, while addressing a press conference in Karachi, said the city’s positivity rate was 8.5-9pc 10 days ago but had increased to 23.12 per cent in the last 24 hours.
He said Covid-19 SOPs weren’t followed by people after the Sindh government had relaxed restrictions – which led to the positivity increase.
“Now Eidul Azha is coming and the situation in Karachi has become very dangerous, concerning and alarming,” he added.
Meanwhile, doctors and health experts have urged the government to impose a health emergency in Karachi as hospitals have run out of beds to accommodate coronavirus patients.
According to media reports, various hospitals in Karachi are running out of space due to the fast spread of the Delta variant in the financial capital of the country.
The Indus Hospital management said on Monday that their coronavirus ward and emergency has been filled with Covid-19 patients and the hospital is adding more beds to accommodate patients.
“The situation has gone out of control. People should follow coronavirus SOPs and get vaccinated,” said the hospital management.
Agha Khan Hospital, a major one in the city, has also started refusing to admit any patients.
Officials also said that Covid-19 infections are also on the rise among doctors and medical staff.
The provincial government is now likely to take strict measures in the metropolis as the Delta variant accounts for 92% of the infection cases.
