–PM Imran wants balance between smart lockdown and economic activities as 97 more succumb to virus
ISLAMABAD: In line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision of containing Covid-19 through the smart lockdown strategy, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday undertook a comprehensive review of potential Covid-19 clusters and hotspots across Pakistan.
Meanwhile, according to statistics released by the government, 5,248 new coronavirus cases surfaced in the country over the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 144,478. The death toll from the virus stands at 2,729 with 97 deaths reported over the last 24 hours.
Out of 144,478 reported cases, 54,138 are in Punjab, 53,805 in Sindh, 18,013 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 8,177 in Balochistan, 8,569 in Islamabad, 1,129 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and 647 are in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK9. 53,721 patients have recovered from the disease so far.
Earlier, Planning Minister Asad Umar told a meeting of the NCOC that 20 cities across Pakistan have been identified with possible Covid-19 clusters which need restrictive measures for containing the virus. He added that the Centre was sharing the data with the provinces as well.
In Islamabad, G-9/2 and G-9/3 had more than 300 cases and were sealed along with Karachi Company whereas the new hotspots in Islamabad which are being monitored and might be sealed include I-8, I-10, Ghauri Town, Bharakhau, G-6 and G-7 sectors.
Various cities which have registered increase in infection cases and have been identified by NCOC for necessary restrictive measures include Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Swat, Hyderabad, Sukkar, Sialkot, Gujrat, Ghotki, Larakana, Khairpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Malakand and Mardan.
It is worth mentioning here that the “Test, Track and Quarantine” (TTQ) strategy is aimed at identifying how the disease spreads and focuses on clusters and hotspots to enable targeted lockdowns and need-driven resource optimisation at all levels. The government has said that the TTQ strategy has been formulated to keep spread of the disease in check while different sectors open up. The TTQ strategy involves ramping up of testing, rapidly tracing the contacts of confirmed positive cases, and effective quarantining of positive and suspected cases.
The NCOC was briefed in detail about operationalisation of additional oxygenated beds and vents, including procurement of these critical healthcare equipment by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as announced by the prime minister.
The forum was told that a total of 2,150 additional oxygenated beds would be functional by end of July to meet additional requirement, and 1,000 oxygenated beds would be functional by end June and another 1,150 by end of July.
BALANCING HEALTH AND ECONOMY:
Separately, PM Imran, while chairing a review meeting on the coronavirus situation, directed the provinces to impose smart lockdown in the affected areas by creating a balance between precautionary measures and economic activities in the upcoming difficult weeks.
The premier said the provinces have been issued directions for smart lockdown in the affected areas, adding that steps should be taken while keeping in view the ground realities so that a balance is created between precautionary measures and economic activities.
He emphasised the pivotal role of the general public in curbing the spread of coronavirus across the country by adopting precautionary measures. He said the government, on the basis of latest estimates, is taking all necessary steps to protect the people from the deadly virus.
Expressing satisfaction on provision of protective clothing and kits in the country, PM Imran directed the local leadership to review the Covid-19 facilities in hospitals in their respective areas in cooperation with the administration and also play a vibrant role in ensuring people’s cooperation in following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The prime minister, while taking notice of the difficulties in the availability of some medicines and injections used for treating Covid-19 patients, directed the chairman of the NDMA to ensure their supply.
The meeting was apprised that 107 laboratories are working in the country for coronavirus tests and 25,000 tests are being conducted daily. The number of ventilators in the country is 4,800 while another 1,600 will be added soon.
