NCOC rings alarm bells amid 5th Covid wave

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday decided to increase stringent measures to ensure mandatory vaccination due to increasing number of Omicron variant during the fifth wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

During a meeting, chaired by Planning Minister Asad Umar and co-chaired by National Coordinator Maj-Gen Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, the forum took stock of evolving pandemic situation, the national vaccination campaign and the spread of the disease.

The meeting noted that the fifth wave of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was spreading rapidly in the country.

Read More: NCOC to take strict measures regarding vaccination

In the last three days, it was informed, Karachi's positive rate jumped from 2 to 6%.  The forum urged the masses to use facemasks and ensure social distancing to minimise disease spread.

The forum also reviewed the progress of the district-wise vaccination campaign. It directed the provinces to achieve their set vaccination targets at the earliest.

Economic Affairs Minister Omar Ayub Khan and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan also participated in the session.