Pakistan sees lowest number of virus cases since March 16
NCOC approves strict guidelines and safety protocols for holding Eid Al Fitr prayers; over 200 doctors succumbed to COVID-19 in Pakistan: PMA; Sindh CM allows takeaway at restaurants
Pakistan reported the lowest number of COVID-19 cases since March 16 as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued guidelines for Eid Al Fitr prayers on Wednesday.
Pakistan reported 2,869 coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours. This is the first time since March 16 the country reported less than 3,000 coronavirus cases, when 2,351 cases were reported.
According to the health ministry, 38,616 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours ater which 2,869 people tested positive. The total number of cases in the country is 867,438 and the death toll is 771,692. The positivity rate is 7.42 per cent.
A meeting of the NCOC reviewed the mobility control measures to be implemented during Eid holidays. Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and Lt Gen Hamooduz Zaman Khan presided over the session which was also atended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan via video link.
The NCOC has approved strict guidelines and safety protocols for holding Eid Al Fitr prayers across the country.
Eid prayers should be organised at open spaces with COVID-19 protocols. In case if there was a compulsion to offer Eid prayers in Masjid then windows and doors should be kept opened for good ventilation to reduce risk of infection and disease transmission.
However, in order to reduce gatherings two to three Eid prayers at a venue with staggered timings and minimum strength are held. The clerics and religious leaders are advised to keep the sermon brief in order to reduce the prayer timings as the virus spread was on rise.
The guidelines discouraged the sick, elderly and children less than 15 years of age from attending the Eid prayers.
As per guidelines, wearing a face or surgical mask is mandatory. It is also necessary to erect multiple entry and exit points at prayer venues to avoid jumbling up of individuals and reduce risk of congestion.
The mosque management or authorities responsible for organising Eid prayers are directed to ensure thermal screening at entry points, availability and use of hand sanitisers and six feet social distancing markings at the venue.
The worshipers should bring their own prayer mats and also perform ablution at home. The safety protocols also underscored to discourage socialising or embracing and hand-shakes at the venue ater prayers.
However, no gathering is allowed before and ater the prayers usually observed ater Eid prayers. Moreover, banners and panaflex highlighting COVID protocols should be displaced at the prominent places as part of awareness campaigns whereas well laid out parking areas should be prepared for crowd management.
In the wake of ongoing restrictions imposed till May 16, 2021, the NCOC urged for greater national resolve to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures to control the spread of pandemic. It urged the nation to stand united and firm to support these steps undertaken for its wellbeing. In the meantime, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has allowed takeaway at restaurants across the province.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the provincial task force on coronavirus. “Restaurants will not be allowed to set up chairs. Directives for takeaway will be strictly implemented,” Shah said. “No one will be allowed to leave their car for takeaway.”
The Pakistan Medical Association ( PMA), on the other hand, released data about the number of doctors and paramedics who lost their lives to coronavirus, the Dawn reported.
According to data released by the PMA, out of 202 doctors, 74 were from Punjab, including Islamabad, 65 from Sindh, 53 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six from Balochistan, one from Gilgit-baltistan and three from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the casualties were 24 medical officers, 19 general physicians, 13 paediatricians, 11 anaesthetists, 10 from administrative posts, nine professors of medicine, nine ENT specialists, seven gynaecologists, six pathologists, six psychiatrists, four orthopaedics, four pulmonologists, four dentists, three ophthalmologists, three postgraduate trainees, three radiologists, two surgeons and two cardiologists.