Corona cases, deaths continue to rise

ISLAMABAD: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Pakistan rose to 58,533 and 1,210 respectively on Tuesday due to the people’s least adherence to the health protocols pleading cough etiquette, respirator hygiene, and social distancing.

Of 58,533 confirmed cases, Sindh reported 23,507 cases, Punjab 20,654, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 8,259, Balochistan 3,536, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 1,728, Gilgit-Baltistan 638, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 211.

Of 1,202 deaths, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 416 deaths, Sindh 374, Punjab 352, Balochistan 41, Gilgit-Baltistan 8, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 17, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 2.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held at National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on 3rd day of Eidul Fitr to review the COVID-19 facilities being provided to the stranded Pakistanis being returned to country gradually.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yousaf chaired the meeting via video link. The representatives of civil aviation of all federating units attended the meeting, said a news release. The meeting members asked for sharing the data of all retuning Pakistanis with all federating units.

They noted that data of returning Pakistanis should be shared by all air lines with all the federating unit for containment of COVID and particularly implementation of Test, Trace and Quarantine (TTQ) strategy.

The forum was told that the surge in COVID-19 cases was likely to accentuate due to unsatisfactory following of guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP) by masses.

The meeting reviewed and analysed the COVID-19 latest cases including existing coronavirus cases, deaths, patients on ventilators and estimates of new possible coronavirus cases of Eid holidays shared by the ministry of health.

The forum noted that the following of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines regarding COVID-19 remained very scarce during Eidul Fitr holidays. The forum stressed enhanced role of federating units for implementing guidelines and SOPs of COVID-19 to contain the pandemic.