-Aggregate reported cases surpass 4,780 as recoveries rises to 727
-Government to review way forward on 12th April
By Shakeel Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday noted that the actual number of positive coronavirus cases is less than the projections.
The forum met for the daily briefing on the coronavirus situation, under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umer.
State Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza informed the forum about the latest projections of possible COVID-19 infections and measures to enhance present testing capacity. The officials expressed satisfaction in improvement in recovery ratio of COVID-19 patients which are more than 700 in the country. They were further told that 26 labs were currently functional, whereas critical care for patients on ventilators was required.
Moreover, the NCOC discussed whether the repatriation process of stranded Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan and the supply of essential food items from Iran to four border districts of Balochistan was being done in accordance with the health ministry’s instructions and SOPs issued on the subject. The forum observed that those Pakistani citizens in Afghanistan who want to come back to Pakistan must undergo testing/ tracking procedure & necessary quarantine.
The officials were further informed that movement of cargo to Afghanistan was being done thrice a week and only pertained to food and medical items.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) in coordination with a clinical study committee for indigenous and fast production of ventilators presented a plan of action. Diplomatic channels were also used for provision of ventilators and critical spare equipment, the forum was told.
While addressing the meeting Asad Umer said that, “the future course of action will be presented to PM [Prime Minster Imran Khan] on April 12 for approval on Monday, April 13 by the NCC.”
Umer emphasised the need to synergise all efforts through a one-window operation. He reiterated that while we endeavour for indigenous production our focus should concurrently be on procurement through commercial channels from abroad.
Minister for Interior Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah (Retired), Minister for Industries and Production Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Energy Mr Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar also attended the meeting among others.
Meanwhile, the confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan on Friday reached 4,601, according to the National Command and Operation Centre’s latest statistics, media reported.
As many as 284 new cases of the COVID-19 were reported across the country during last 24 hours. So far 467 patients have recovered from the deadly virus, whereas the death toll has surged to 66.
Four more patients died yesterday due to novel coronavirus related complications while 31 currently battle life and death situation at their respective healthcare centers.
According to the breakup of the cases province-wise Punjab tops the list with 2279 cases, while Sindh has recorded 1128 coronavirus cases so far.
620 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 219 in Balochistan, 107 in Islamabad, 215 in Gilgit Baltistan and 33 cases were reported in Azad Kashmir.
Overall 42 per cent of the cases are said to be of local transmission in the country while rest are of the nationals coming from abroad.
The health authorities have overall conducted 44,896 tests including 2,737 tests during the last 24 hours.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Friday chaired a top level meeting to review coronavirus situation in the country, media reported.
The meeting decided to continuously remain in touch at diplomatic level to ensure availability of ventilators and other medical equipment in the country.
According to the health ministry spokesman, the meeting was briefed over the coronavirus situation in the country as the members expressed their satisfaction over the measures taken by health ministry to tackle the virus spread.
“Around 727 patients have recovered from the virus till today,” he said while quoting the briefing given by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza.
The national health ministry has also devised a code of conduct for movement of people and goods.
The food items could be brought from Iran to four border areas of the Balochistan province under the guidelines issued from the authorities.
The cargo trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan will also be allowed for three days in a week and food items and medicines could be imported to the neighbouring war-torn country.
Pakistanis returning from Afghanistan will have to undergo virus testing process and will be put in quarantine for a prescribed time period.
Speaking during the meeting, Asad Umar said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would be briefed over the future strategy to deal with the pandemic on April 12.
“The suggested measures will get nod from National Command and Control (NCC) meeting on April 13,” he said and directed the concerned institutions to continue their one-window operations.
