Mandatory mask-wearing returns as Covid flares

Mandatory mask-wearing for protection against Covid-19 staged a comeback on Monday, as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued new guidelines in the wake of resurgence in fresh cases.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the national positivity ratio rose to 2.85%, with the detection of 382 new coronavirus cases from 13,412 Covid-19 tests conducted over the last 24 hours. The NIH said two Covid patients died, while 87 were in critical condition.

The NCOC made mask-wearing mandatory on all domestic flights, railways, and public transport within the country. “We request all citizens to wear mask during travel for prevention from Covid-19 transmission,” an NIH spokesperson said.

All provinces and regions were also directed to administer booster shots on a priority basis to further improve protection against Covid-19 transmission, while all health officials concerned had been asked to remain alert and vigilant about the situation.

While emphasising the importance of precautions, including social distancing and mask-wearing, especially in crowded places, the health authorities also stressed the need for strict observance of the guidelines for the management of markets.

According to the NIH data, the highest ratio of Covid cases was registered in Sindh which was 6.17% in the last 24 hours. Karachi has emerged as the new hotspot of the pandemic in the country with the positivity ratio of 22.65%. In Hyderabad, the ratio was 0.32%.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir follows Sindh with 2.94% ratio. The ratio in Punjab was 1.17%, while 1.15% was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Muzaffarabad was the most-affected city with 6.25% in northern parts of the country,.

Elsewhere, the positivity ratio was 5% in Nowshera, 4.17% in Abbottabad, 3% in Peshawar, 2.44 in Mardan, 2.76% in Lahore, 2.31% in Islamabad, 1.05% in Rawalpindi and 1.64% in Sargodha.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)