The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Thursday took an in-depth analysis of existing beds, ventilators and other facilities in the hospitals keeping in view the possible spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and present available data.
The purpose of the thorough examination of the existing facilities was to collect real-time data and gauge capacity of the hospitals.
The 20th consecutive meeting of the NCOC during Ramazan, also reviewed the latest situation of COVID-19, progress on implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines at the provincial level.
Addressing the meeting in chair, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said the provinces and hospital management had the responsibility to ensure verified data of coronavirus affected patients to take effective measures for mitigating the risk of the pandemic outbreak.
He said the management of the provinces and hospitals had an important role to play for providing credible information where the provinces and the administration were doing an excellent job in this context and it should continue.
He said implementation of SOPs for non-spread of coronavirus during the past day at the provincial and district level was encouraging.
Asad said the implementation of SOPs and guidelines for containing the risk of COVID-19 could only ensure public health and safety.
According to the NCOC, during the meeting, the interior minister said he had issued clear instructions the other day to implement the SOPs and guidelines for religious congregations, mosques and markets.
Meanwhile, multiple shops and markets were sealed in Lahore on Thursday for not following the government SOPs.
The government had issued these SOPs to shopkeepers to follow to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. They include practices such as making hand sanitiser available within stores and ensuring social distancing is maintained.
Forty-five shops in Shah Alam Market were sealed and seven in Chongi Amar Sidhu.
The Lahore deputy commissioner said a crackdown will be conducted in Shalimar, Cantt and Raiwind’s markets today (Thursday).
The district administration has formed 10 teams to test shopkeepers for the virus.
Meanwhile, Balochistan will not be marking Youm-e-Ali (AS) with processions this Friday as the provincial government reminded people of a ban on religious processions in light of the coronavirus.
The procession is held by Shia Muslims on the 21st of every Ramazan to mark the death of Hazrat Ali (RA).
In a notification issued by the Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Department on Thursday, it was reminded that all sorts of religious gatherings are already banned in the country, hence, Friday’s procession should also be avoided.
It asked the authorities concerned to urgently call on Shia scholars and apprise them on the increasing coronavirus cases across Pakistan to ensure processions are not held anywhere in the province.
As of Thursday, 2,239 COVID-19 cases have been in Balochistan and more than 35,000 country-wide. The province is under a partial lockdown until May 19.
