The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday directed the quarters concerned to spearhead stringent enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and mass mobilization adherence to safety guidelines amid surge in Coronavirus cases and positivity across the country.
The NCOC meeting took a detailed review of epidemic curve chart data, prevailing positivity ratio of COVID-19, micro and smart lockdown imposed, contact tracing and implementation of SOPs.
The Forum was informed that the positivity ratio of Coronavirus cases was surging for the past three weeks whereas all other indicators were showing a rising trend.
The Forum was briefed that no complacency in adherence to SOPs particularly mask wearing and social distancing could be allowed as it might escalate the contagion.
Keeping in view, the Forum had directed all the authorities concerned to beef up enforcement measures and ensure strict compliance of safety and health guidelines.
However, effective media campaign for education and awareness of masses would be revived with messages emphasizing strict compliance of SOPs by masses outdoors.
Meanwhile, Senator Dr Musadik Malik of the PML-N is going into isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, he said in a tweet. “I have just about received my COVID 19 result. Unfortunately, I am coronavirus positive, and am going into isolation. Please keep me in your prayers. Most regretfully, I would miss one of the most important family events – my loss!” On the other hand, the total active COVID-19 cases in Pakistan on Saturday were recorded 12,121 as 807 more people tested positive for the deadly virus during the last 24 hours.
Eleven corona patients, who were under treatment in hospital died on Friday, according to the latest update issued by the National command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
No COVID affected person was on ventilator in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Balochistan, while 100 ventilators elsewhere in Pakistan, out of 1,884 allocated for COVID-19 patients, were occupied.
Some 21,688 tests were conducted across the country on Friday, including 7,521 in Sindh, 6,631 in Punjab, 2,755 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 3,902 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 187 in Balochistan, 371 in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and 315 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Around 314,066 people have recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan making it a significant count with over 90 percent recovery ratio of the affected patients.
About 6,806 deaths were recorded in country since the eruption of the contagion, including 2,625 Sindh among five of them died in hospital on Friday, 2,357 in Punjab three of them died in hospital on Friday, 1,276 in KP, 217 in ICT where two of them died in hospital on Friday, 149 in Balochistan, 92 in GB and 90 in AJK among one of them died in hospital on Friday.
Also, a senior doctor died after being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Peshawar. The Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) confirmed the news. Dr Sultan Zeb was being treated at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar and was on a ventilator.
He was shifted to the hospital after his health deteriorated earlier this week. The PDA said the coronavirus has claimed the lives of 20 doctors and 40 health workers in the province.
