NCOC recommends mask wearing at crowded places amid Covid uptick

Health system fully prepared to deal with any sub-variant of Omicron, says health minister

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Thursday recommended wearing masks at crowded and tightly enclosed spaces and healthcare facilities.

According to NCOC, guidelines were issued for the period up to April 30, 2023, keeping in view the current Covid-19 trend across the country.

Amid the current COVID-19 disease trends across the country, NCOC recommended following guidelines for the period up to 30 April 2023.
"Mask wearing is recommended at crowded tightly enclosed spaces including healthcare facilities"

— NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) March 16, 2023

Meanwhile, health officials said that 129 new coronavirus cases were reported during the last 24 hours across the country.

As per the data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the case positivity ratio was 2.98 per cent while 14 patients were in critical condition.

Read more: 77 new corona cases in 24 hours: NIH

No death was reported from the coronavirus in the last 24 hours while 4,334 Covid-19 tests were conducted.

As many as 523 tests were conducted in Lahore out of which 43 cases were confirmed with a ratio of 8.22 per cent, while 225 tests were conducted in Rawalpindi out of which three cases were reported confirmed with a ratio of 1.33 per cent. 14 cases were confirmed from 333 tests in Islamabad with a ratio of 4.20 per cent.

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel said the government had strengthened the role of border and health services in Pakistan to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19.

The minister said there was a surveillance system in place at all entry points of the country including airports. There will be rapid tests and screening of passengers at all airports, he added.

He said that the situation was completely under control and asked the general public to avoid listening to rumours.

He added the coronavirus positivity ratio was just 0.3 to 0.5 in the country while 90 per cent of the country’s population already got the Covid-19 vaccine.

“An efficient system with a proper management team is fully functional in the country to remain vigilant and is ready to make an emergency plan to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19,” the minister added.

He said the Border and Health Services Pakistan was ensuring the implementation of international health regulations.

He said that in case of any untoward situation, the health system was fully prepared to deal with any sub-variant of Omicron including BF.7 in the country.