NCOC 'satisfied' over Sindh govt's measures to tackle Covid spread

Forum briefed on escalation in Covid cases in Karachi, Gilgit; SOPs compliance on Eid termed 'extremely critical'

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) expressed satisfaction on Tuesday over the measures adopted by the Sindh government to control the spread of Covid in wake of a resurgence in cases in the province.

The NCOC made the observations at a meeting led by its chairman Asad Umar in Islamabad today.

"The NCOC expressed satisfaction at the additional steps taken by Sindh government in view of the Covid spread," the meeting's observers noted.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of Covid SOPs planned for Eidul Azha, while taking note of the pandemic's spread in Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The participants were informed that an additional 500 oxygen cylinders and 30 ventilators have been provided to Gilgit in view of the rise in cases there.

Read Covid guidelines for Eidul Azha issued

The forum was also briefed on increasing the capacity for vaccinations and that, "at current, 5,500,000 are being administered in the country daily.

It was also announced that vaccination centres across the country will only be closed on the first day of Eidul Azha.

Moreover, the NCOC was apprised that ample quantity of Moderna vaccine has been provided to vaccination centres for students and others going abroad.

The directives regarding specific SOPs related to Eid gatherings, prayers and sacrifice were termed as extremely crucial.

In this regard, the NCOC directed administrations of all provinces to ensure implementation of the SOPs.

A sharp spike in infections has overwhelmed major hospitals in Karachi. The positivity ratio soared past 20 per cent in less than a week and the city’s hospitals are struggling to accommodate patients.

Read more Must ensure SOPs amid rising Covid cases: health ministry

According to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the positivity ratio hit 25 per cent a day ago.

The provincial health officials urged citizens to comply with Covid-19 protocol and to inoculate against the deadly virus. They pointed out that the flouting of SOPs clubbed with the emergence of the Delta variant could lead to a disastrous situation. It appeared that most health facilities are already on the brink of disaster.

Earlier today, Pakistan reported 2,145 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's Covid-19 tally to 993,872.

The country's death toll climbed to 22,848 after 37 more people succumbed to the deadly disease.

Meanwhile, 1,029 patients recovered from the deadly disease in a day taking total recoveries to 921,095.

According to the NCOC, the total active Covid-19 cases across the country were reported to be 49,929.