Coronavirus in Pakistan: Asad Umar says new strain spreads faster and is more deadly

• Asad Umar says there has been a sharp spike in COVID positivity rate.
• Minister asks citizens to be “very very careful” as new strain spreads “faster and is more deadly”.
• The statement by the minister and NCOC comes as Pakistan woke up with a positivity rate of 7.8%.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, who is spearheading the country’s effort against coronavirus, on Thursday urged people to comply with SOPs and warned that if the safety guidelines are not followed, the government will be left with no option but to place "stronger restriction on activities".

“Sharp spike in COVID positivity [rate]. Hospital daily admissions and people in critical care rising fast,” said the minister.

Umar warned that if the SOP compliance does not improve in the country then the government will be left with no options but to place “stronger restrictions on activities”.

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The minister urged the citizens to be “very very careful” as the new strain spreads “faster and is more deadly”.

‘Major cities have crossed 5% positivity’

Apart from the tweet by Asad Umar, the concern regarding a disregard of the SOPs was also raised during the morning session of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), according to a statement.

The session was chaired by Umar where the participants were briefed about the “implementation of various health guidelines as already issued to all federating units”. The NCOC was told that the implementation on those guidelines needs a “comprehensive review”.

“NCOC showed serious concern on rising disease trend and mortality rate. The forum was briefed that a sharp rising trend in disease is visible and positivity has crossed 7.5%,” said the statement.

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It added that almost all major cities have crossed 5% positivity.

As an effect, the provincial administrations were directed to take “immediate actions” for the strict implementation of SOPs.

The NCOC noted that mass violations of SOPs and disrespect of orders including not wearing of face mask, disregard of social distancing were being widely reported across the country.

“Appeal was made to the citizen to once again display a good example of social behaviour and follow the SOPs in letter and spirit,” said the statement.

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The NCOC warned that strict measures will have to be taken which may result into the closure of business and restrictions on economic and social activities.

Vaccination centres to be closed on Sundays

The body also announced that vaccination centres will be closed across the country on Sundays and national holidays.

“It was decided that COVID vaccination centres across the country will remain closed on Sundays and national holidays,” said the NCOC.

Coronavirus positivity rate surges to 7.8%

The statement by the minister came as Pakistan today woke up with a positivity rate of 7.8%.

During the past 24 hours, about 3,495 new coronavirus cases were reported across the country. Moreover, the number of active coronavirus patients in the country stands at 24,592 as of today.

Daily data issued by the NCOC says that over 61 people have succumbed to the virus during the past 24 hours taking the death tally to 13,717.

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The country is experiencing the third wave of coronavirus which is deemed more lethal and hazardous by health experts. They have urged people to strictly practice standard operating procedures (SOP) to curb the virus spread.

The health authorities have re-imposed COVID-19 restrictions in the country that were lifted last month due to a surge in cases while educational institutes have been closed in several cities of the Punjab and KP.