NCOC turns down call for complete lockdown

At least 58 die of Covid-19 in 24 hours

LAHORE:

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has turned down the Punjab government's recommendation to impose complete lockdown in districts having over 10% coronavirus infection rate. The NCOC has directed provincial and local administrations to strictly implement the precautionary standard operating procedures (SOPs) as it observed weak enforcement of its decisions. The Punjab government, on Monday, proposed a complete lockdown in Lahore and other districts with high infection rates for a week or two to rein in further spread of the disease as the coronavirus positive test rate crossed 19% in the provincial capital and several other cities. However, the centre has decided to review the situation for another two days or so before making any tough decision as lockdown would have drastic effects on the already fragile economic condition in the country. Meanwhile, Lahore Division Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Usman has instructed local administration to de-seal all businesses sealed over coronavirus SOPs violations till April 11. He warned the business community to comply with coronavirus SOPs to avoid sealing of businesses. He underscored that the country was facing a severe third wave of coronavirus. Any negligence could prove lethal as the health system is already overburdened. Official data shows that 4,584 new coronavirus cases were reported in the last 24 hours with a positivity ratio of 10.29% in the country. The NCOC data revealed that 58 people lost their lives to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 15,501. About 3,135 patients across the country have recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.