Six die of Covid, including a journalist

Health ministry urged to prioritise vaccination of media workers

RAWALPINDI:

Six people, including senior journalist Johar Majeed, have lost their lives due to the novel coronavirus as Pakistan witnessed a major surge in cases during the third wave while the positivity rate rises to 10.29 percent, a spokesperson said on Friday.

According to the data obtained from the District Health Authority, another 138 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19.

The number of people infected with the virus has reached 15,683 out of which 13,181 people have recovered and 1,673 of them are quarantined at their homes. So far, 712 people have died of coronavirus in the garrison city, the official maintained.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) urged the health ministry to take special steps for the Covid vaccination of journalists and media workers. A letter was sent to the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan to highlight the role of television channels, radio, cable distributors in spreading the awareness of the virus across the country.

The letter stated that journalists and media workers are continuously being affected by the virus on a daily basis. The authority urged the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to pay special attention to the health and safety of journalists and media workers.

It added that several front-line journalists and media workers have lost their lives due to the virus, hence the health authorities should issue special orders for prioritising the Covid vaccination of the media workers.

Furthermore, Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq said that 26 marriage halls and 61 restaurants while 32 mosques, madrasas, and four railway and bus stations were inspected for implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Two restaurants were fined Rs16,500 and a marriage hall was sealed for failing to implement SOPs.

He stated that 24 raids were carried out on the intra and inter-city public transport and a fine of Rs5,000 was imposed for those found violating the SOPs while inspection of 52 public places and parks resulted in the imposition of fines worth Rs5200.

Moreover, 109 shopping malls, markets and plazas were inspected, out of which eight were found guilty of the violation. They were sealed and fined Rs26,500, the commissioner added.