—Punjab government announces smart lockdown in 15 areas; 4,136 micro-small lockdowns in place across country
–Positivity rate reaches 15.38pc in Gilgit, 7.48pc in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: There has been no let-up in the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country and the virus positivity rate reached 4.94 per cent, as 1,650 more people tested positive after the tests of 33,340 over the last twenty-four hours, according to the data shared by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Monday.
During a meeting, the Covid-19 nerve centre observed that Hyderabad had the highest positivity ratio at 16.69 per cent, followed by Gilgit at 15.38 per cent, Multan at 15.97 per cent, Muzaffarabad at 14.12 per cent, Mirpur at 11.11 per cent, Peshawar with 9.69 per cent, Quetta with 8.03 per cent, Islamabad with 7.48 per cent, Karachi with 7.12 per cent, Lahore with 5.37 per cent and Rawalpindi with 4.63 per cent.
Overall, the nationwide positivity ratio in the country is 4.5 per cent, [while] 15 major cities across Pakistan have a higher positivity ratio,” said a press release issued by the NCOC that held a session to discuss in length the recent surge in the positivity ratio.
According to the NCOC, the country reported 9 more deaths due to coronavirus-related complications during the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 6,977.
So far 318,881 patients have recovered from the virus and the number of active cases of Covid-19 reached 18,981, whereas the total count of infections is 344,839.
Meanwhile, the NCOC on Monday warned that the positivity ratio of Covid-19 had increased rapidly in 15 major cities.
Updating the forum on administrative measures and enforcement efforts, the chief secretaries of the provinces informed the NCOC on guidelines in their respective cities regarding wearing of face masks and arrangements for outdoor weddings.
The NCOC was apprised that 4,136 micro-small lockdowns were in place across Pakistan and the tracing, testing and quarantine strategy was being used to limit the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the NCOC was told that the recent health guidelines will remain enforced in 16 major cities till January 31, 2021.
Regarding medical equipment, the NCOC was told that 2,811 oxygenated beds were provided to hospitals and over 13,000 oxygen cylinders were issued to various provinces.
The NCOC over the weekend issued new guidelines making face masks mandatory in all public spaces, with an Rs100 to Rs500 fine imposed on anyone who isn’t wearing one.
In addition, cities with high rates of transmission including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad would have indoor weddings banned from November 20, while outdoor weddings would have a limit of 1,000 guests.
All public and private offices would be required to have 50 per cent of their staff work from home.
Additionally, all markets, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bakeries, wedding halls and beauty parlors have been ordered to close shop by 10:00 pm while amusement parks/recreational places can remain open until 6:00 pm.
Earlier, the government ordered work-from-home policy for half of the staff in both public and private sector offices and relatively broader smart lockdowns in the urban centres of the country as part of the second phase of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The NCOC appreciated the efforts of the provinces for taking prompt and necessary measures in line with health guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of the public.
The country has yet to fully utilise its testing capacity of 73,572 and is currently testing significantly below numbers proposed by global health experts. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan’s testing policies likely only record the most symptomatic patients while ignoring the spread among asymptomatic carriers, which recent studies have suggested comprise the majority of infections in the country.
Since last week, the number of single-day new cases has crossed 1,000 mark for the first time since the first week of August.
In view of the increasing cases of Covid-19, the Punjab government has announced to impose smart lockdown in the areas with coronavirus cases whereas all such markets, bazaars, offices and wedding halls will be sealed.
A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corona was convened on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday in which important decisions were taken to save the people from the second wave of Covid-19 and to implement security measures.
The meeting decided to close all markets, bazaars, offices and public points that were violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs). Reportedly, smart lockdowns will be imposed in 15 areas of the provincial capital, which has been approved by the Cabinet’s Anti-Corona Committee.
These areas include New Muslim Town C Block, Tipu Block, Babar Block, Raza Block, Sikandar Block, Umar Block, Anarkali, Mozang, Gulshan Ravi, Johar Town, Township, Samanabad, DHA Phase 6, some areas of Askari XI, DHA A Block, HEFC Society B Block, Cavalry Ground and Garden Town.
The meeting also discussed the introduction of rapid testing of Covid-19, and the decision to declare Rawalpindi Institute of Urology as Covid-19 Hospital.
During the meeting, Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that the number of positive cases is increasing in Punjab and Covid-19 test positive rate has also increased. “418 patients are undergoing treatment in government hospitals in Punjab. The condition of 76 patients is critical. On the direction of CM Punjab, there is ample stock of essential medicines and PPA kits. The health department will procure more PCR kits for coronavirus tests,” she said.
“Every step will be taken to control the second wave of Covid-19, adding Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal.
Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Punjab chief secretary, inspector general of police, senior member of Board of Revenue, additional chief secretary home, Lahore division commissioner, secretary specialised healthcare and medical education, secretary primary and secondary healthcare, senior officers and military officials attended the meeting while the commissioners of Multan division and Rawalpindi division participated in the meeting through video-link.
Later in the day, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab rejected reports that Hyderabad’s positivity ratio had crossed 15 per cent, saying that it was “wrong” to make such claims.
In a video message shared on his Twitter account, Wahab said that according to official data of the past few days, the positivity rate in the Hyderabad district stood at 8.7 per cent.
Additional reporting by Shahab Omer
