ISLAMABAD: 136 patients lost their lives due to coronavirus in 24 hours while the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said that there was a decline in new coronavirus cases for the fifth consecutive day on Friday after cases surged continuously for three weeks.
4,944 coronavirus cases emerged during the last 24 hours while 136 more patients died of the disease caused by the virus. The countrywide death toll from the virus has surged to 3,229,
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination data, a total of 163,614 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the country since it emerged in February, out of which 62,269 cases were in Sindh, 61,678 in Punjab, 8,998 in Balochistan, 20,182 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 9,941 in Islamabad, 1,225 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and 769 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and 61,383 patients have recovered from the disease so far. According to government’s figures, as many as 28,824 tests were conducted during last 24 hours and 61,383 people recovered so far across Pakistan.
Moreover, according to NCOC, around 103 more ventilators were added to national count, taking the total number of ventilators in the country to 1,503. In order to meet additional requirements of hospitals, procurement of additional ventilators on fast track basis was in progress and would be completed between mid to end of July, it added.
“Operationalisation of 2,150 additional oxygenated beds across Pakistan was pursued on war footing to ease extra pull on major hospitals in mega cities across the country,” a statement issued by NCOC read.
It said that 60 beds would be added to hospitals in AJK, 200 in Balochistan, 40 in GB, 450 in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 400 in KP, 500 in Punjab and 500 in Sindh.
Moreover, it added, the testing capacity increased immensely and would be further increased to more than 100,000 tests per day by mid-July.
However, the NCOC also issued the mortality analysis till June 18 (n-3,093) which showed CFR: 1.93 against 5.37 per cent globally where further gender bifurcation showed 73 per cent males between ages 1– 102 years (median 60 years) and 74 per cent over the age of 50. However, 73 per cent deceased had chronic comorbidities, which means that they were already affected with other diseases before contracting coronavirus. It also added that 91 per cent of deceased remained hospitalised (average stay: 5 days, range: 1-35 days).
The NCOC also noted that 10,111 violations of health guidelines were recorded during the last 24 hours across the country. It said that in consequence of the violations more than 813 markets and shops, 5 industrial units were sealed and 1443 transporters were fined.
The details of violations of health guidelines across Pakistan and enforcement measures were also provided. In AJK, 741 violations were recorded and in response 75 markets and shops were closed and sealed, 264 transport vehicles were fined as per violations. In GB, 216 violations of health guidelines were observed, 82 markets and shops were closed and sealed and 42 transport vehicles were fined as per violations. In KP, 5,326 violations were observed where in consequence 178 markets and shops were closed and sealed and 105 transport vehicles were fined as per the violation. In Punjab, a total of 2,176 violations were recorded whereas in consequence 362 markets and shops were closed and sealed, two industrial units were sealed and 1,027 transport vehicles were fined as per the violation. In Sindh, 744 violations were noted whereas 50 markets and shops were closed and sealed, three industrial units were sealed and five transport vehicles were fined as per the violation. In Balochistan, 908 violations were observed where 66 markets and shops were closed and sealed as per the violation.
Separately, Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah has briefed the NCOC regarding Eidul Azha management plan and associated hazards of Mandis, qurbani in public places and urban areas.
The forum was briefed that plan for Qurbani on Eidul Azha in wake of coronavirus threat would be finalised after consensus of all stakeholders, particularly the religious leaders.
Areas in focus include mechanism for animal sacrifices, concept of Ijtimai Qurbani, online booking (online of Hajj), central arrangements for distribution of meat through civil administration and local committees.
Modalities in this regard would be finalised within the next week to provide a complete month to the provinces for making necessary arrangements for Eidul Azha.
