Sudden spurt in coronavirus cases claims 34 lives in Pakistan

Pakistan experienced one of the deadliest days in recent months as the coronavirus claimed another 34 lives during the past 24 hours (Wednesday) after which the death toll climbed to 7,055, showed the latest data released by National Command and Operation Centre on Thursday morning.

Most of these deaths were reported in Sindh where 14 people died of the virus. It was followed by nine in Punjab and eight in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

But it isn’t just the new deaths as the country is witnessing constant rise in daily count with another 1,808 people diagnosed with the virus in different parts of the country. It is the worst number since July 18 when 1,918 new cases were reported.  

With the overall number of coronavirus cases reaching 349,992, the region-wise distribution of the infections is given as: Sindh 152,072, Punjab 108,221 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 41,258, Islamabad 22,765, Balochistan 16,226, Azad Kashmir 5,041 and Gilgit-Baltistan 4,409.

The news coming from Sindh is really alarming as over 800 new cases were recorded in the province on Wednesday. Punjab and Islamabad are next most-affected regions in the country 

Although the number of people fully recovering from the infection currently stands at 320,849 with the addition of 784, the higher infection means there is a net increase in active cases whose number has increased to 22,088. 

It means an increase of around 1,200 over the previous day, representing a steady and alarming rise in the number of coronavirus patients.

Out of the hospitalised patients, 1,164 are in intensive care units due to their critical condition. Meanwhile, 189 of the critically-ill patients have been placed on ventilators.

However, a total of 327,904 cases have so far closed [deaths + number of people recovering from infection] in the country.

The day also saw 36,686 tests being administered in different parts of the country after which the overall number reached 4,810,182.

NCOC suggestions

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has called for banning large public gatherings and enhance restrictions in high-risk areas due to Covid-19 resurge amid rising possible second wave of the pandemic.

The Forum taking into account rising positivity ratio suggested for an early and extended winter vacations in educational institutions to reduce the impact of disease spread and ensure the safety and health of students.

Guidelines on marriages

Only outdoor marriages with upper limit of 500 people are allowed from Nov 20th.

NCOC also suggested for NCC meeting to increase restrictions on high-risk sectors and particularly large public gatherings.

NCOC recommended urgent and emergency measures to NCC for final approval after consensus by all stakeholders.

NCOC appreciated SOP compliance in mosques so far since last many months however noted decline in compliance at present and appealed to all stakeholders to further follow the same rather enhance amid possible second wave.

NCOC suggested following measures to all stakeholders for input and subsequently recommended to NCC for approval by national leadership across Pakistan. The measures include:

Public gatherings

All public gatherings of more than 500 people be banned including political, cultural, religious, entertainment and civil society gatherings

Early and extended winter vacations after input by Federal/Provincial Education ministers

Restaurants

Only outdoor dining till 10 pm and takeaway

Cinemas and theatres will be closed with immediate effect

Shrines to be closed with immediate effect

Early closing of markets with safe days