Covid cases continue declining trend

NCOC informs anti-Covid vaccination of students between age of 12 to 15 years would remain suspended till Nov 24

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) was informed on Monday that the anti-Covid vaccination of students between the age of 12 to 15 years would remain suspended till November 24 because of the nationwide inoculation campaign against measles and rubella.

The forum, which serves as the nerve centre of the government’s unified effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, met here with its chairman, Planning Minister Asad Umar in the chair, reviewed the Covid vaccination targets.

The meeting came as the national tally of active Covid-19 cases continued a declining trend, as the national positivity ratio remained below 1% on, while the single-day tally of new cases remained less than 250, according to the NCOC data.

Read more: City-wise Covid restrictions as per vaccination rate: NCOC

The NCOC meeting appreciated the cities which had achieved excellent vaccination targets with over 50% of the eligible population inoculated with Covid-19 jabs. Umar appreciated the efforts of all the stakeholders for ensuring vaccine administration to citizens in every city.

The forum appreciated the cities, such as Narowal, Jehlum, Mandi Bahauddin, Peshawar, Bhimber, Bagh, Mirpur, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghizer and Islamabad, for achieving 50% vaccination rate. Umar stressed the need for maintaining the vaccination campaign.

The forum also lauded the performance of Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sialkot, Mianwali, Kallar Kahar, Hafizabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi, Chitral, Charsadda, Balakot, Jehlum Valley, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Hunza and Kharmang for vaccinating more than 40% of eligible citizens.

Also read: 108m citizens administered Covid vaccines, NCOC told

The forum was also informed that 1.7 million vaccine jabs were administered across the country during last 48 hours. The meeting emphasised on stepping up the administration of second dose to eligible individuals so as to sufficiently raise the immunity level of the population for long-term dividends.

Separately, the NCOC said in its daily update that during the last 24 hours, some 32,466 tests were conducted across the country in which 240 people tested positive for the contagious disease. It added that 1,111 Covid patients were under treatment in critical condition in various healthcare facilities.

The national Covid positivity ratio during past 24 hours was 0.73%, the forum said, adding that six infected patients died due to the deadly virus, including those under treatment in the hospitals and in their respective quarantines or homes.