Over 1,300 new covid infections emerge in Sindh

Sindh reported 1,382 more Covid-19 infections and 13 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, said Sindh Chief Minister in a statement issued on the day.

Following this development, the CM said, the province's Covid-19 death toll has climbed to 2,858 and the cumulative infection tally to 166,033.

Giving a breakdown of the newly emerged cases, he said 1,091 of the cases were reported from Karachi, 70 from Hyderabad, 49 from Sujawal, 21 from Dadu, 18 from Thatta, 12 from Naushero Feroze and as many from Ghotki, 11 each from Umerkot and Jamshoro, 10 from Tando Allahyar and as many from Mirpurkhas, six from Shaheed Benazirabad, three from Larkana, two each from Matiari and Tharparkar and one each from Badin, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Sanghar, Sukkur and Tando Muhammad Khan.

According to the CM, 591 Covid-19 patients recovered overnight, raising the total number of recoveries in the province to 146,957.

This leaves 16,218 patients under treatment, he said, adding that 15,535 of them were in home isolation, 12 in isolation centres and 671 in hospitals. Among them, he said at least 619 were critically ill, with 74 on ventilators.

New SOPs

As a second wave of Covid-19 hits the country, the Sindh government has issued a new set of instructions in a bid to contain the spread of the contagion.

The new SOPs were listed in a notification issued by the home department late on Monday night.

Under the new SOPs, it is mandatory for all individuals to wear face masks in offices and public places. A fine will also be imposed on any person failing to follow the instruction.

The notification has also brought in place a ban on indoor wedding ceremonies and placed a cap on the number of guests- limiting it to 200- allowed to attend outdoor events. Besides, weddings ceremonies are to end by 9pm and not have buffets.

“Food may be distributed among the guests in packed boxes,” the notification states.

The new guidelines oblige all government and private office managements to adopt a new work-from-home policy, according to which 50 per cent staff at each office will work from home.

Besides, markets are to operate from 6am to 6pm on weekdays and remain closed on weekends. All business will remain closed on Fridays and Sundays except for those providing essential services.

Moreover, outdoor dining, takeaway and home delivery are permitted until 10pm and there is restriction on indoor dining.

Indoor gathering places, including gyms, sports facilities, cinemas and shrines, have also been ordered to remain closed.

Commissioners and deputy commissioners can impose “relatively broader smart lockdowns” in areas identified as Covid-19 hotspots.

The order will remain effective until January 31, 2021.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2020.