Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Assad Umar, warned on Friday that the country could be hit by a fourth wave of Covid-19 in July if Standard Operating Instructions (SOPs) were not followed.
In his tweet, Umar who is also Head of the National Command and Operations Center (KNKT) said, “Today we reviewed the analysis of artificial intelligence-based disease modeling at NCOC. In the absence of strict implementation of SOPs and a strong and sustainable vaccination programme, a fourth wave could hit Pakistan in July. Follow the rules and get vaccinated as soon as possible. “
The third wave of Covid-19 began in March and cases peaked in April, again imposing restrictions. May saw a drop in infection rates, leading the NCOC to ease restrictions on June 15.
In another development, the NCOC decided to allow nationals traveling abroad to work using the Pfizer vaccine.
In a statement, the forum announced that the decision was based on the new guidelines.
According to him, people traveling to work in countries where China’s vaccines are not accredited, such as Saudi Arabia, can get pictures from Pfizer. However, the statement added that this will only apply to those who are required to start their journey before July 26.
Meanwhile, vaccination efforts continued across the country with an additional 337,248 people vaccinated as of Friday, bringing the total to 14,503,136.
It should be noted here that two million doses of Sinovac vaccine arrived by special PIA aircraft at Islamabad International Airport on Wednesday. In a statement, the NCOC said that with the arrival of this shipment, the average daily dose delivery across the country will increase significantly.
On the other hand, NCOC reported 1,052 new patients and 44 deaths in the last 24 hours with a positive rate of 2.29%. 1,013 patients recovered from the deadly virus in one day.
With the emergence of new cases, the total number of Covid-19 patients since the pandemic began in the country rose to 952,907, while the death toll rose to 22,152 from 32,921.
Maximum fans were used in four major cities, with Multan reporting a load factor of 28, followed by Bahawalpur with 22, Islamabad with 21 and Lahore with 20.
Most oxygen beds in Gilgit are occupied with a percentage of 45, followed by Karachi, 23; Muzafarabad, 19 pieces and Rawalpindi, 17 pieces.
About 267 ventilators are used elsewhere in the country, without patient ventilation in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In December 2019, the coronavirus was discovered in China, which then spread to other countries. Pakistan has closed its borders and has taken a number of steps to stop the transfers. The first case of Covid-19 was recorded in the country in the last week of February last year.
On March 13, 2020, the first National Security Committee (NSS) meeting was held with senior civilian and military officials to discuss the crisis, which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.
Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the NSS meeting and directed the relevant authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of the virus.
The lockdown was announced on March 16, 2020 and a number of industries, educational institutions, restaurants and wedding halls have been closed.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is committed to ensuring the availability of medical equipment and health-related materials and improving coordination with the provinces.
Pakistan has closed its western borders with Afghanistan and Iran and also closed the Kartarpur temple to local residents.
However, as cases subsided, the Covid-19 National Coordinating Committee (KKN) opened the construction industry on August 7, 2020 and lifted restrictions on the tourism sector on August 8 and restaurants and transportation on August 10.
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