ISLAMABAD: The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan topped 30,000 Monday as the government opened more businesses since ordering relaxation in the lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), Pakistan recorded another 1,476 cases of COVID-19 and 28 deaths, bringing the countywide total to 30,941 with 667 deaths attributed to the respiratory illness.
Pakistan has so far conducted 294,894 coronavirus tests and 11,367 during last 24 hours. Patients are under treatment at quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available.
Punjab and Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
11,568 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 11,480 in Sindh, 4,669 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,017 in Balochistan, 679 in Islamabad, 442 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 86 in Azad Kashmir.
8,212 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas many are in critical condition.
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) was informed on Sunday that a comprehensive disinfection policy would be devised by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to ensure sanitization of different localities in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19).
“In a meeting with the health ministers of all the provinces, we have agreed on five things that include systematic investigation of COVID patients’ deaths, zero prevalence study of the virus, post-quarantine policy, guideline for disinfection and resource management in hospitals,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Zafar Mirza apprised the meeting.
The meeting of NCOC, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, was also attended by NCOC National Coordinator Lt Gen Hamood Uz Zaman, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minster on National Security Moeed Yusuf and others.
Dr Zafar said that it was agreed that regarding the disinfection of the areas detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) needed to be issued.
“We need to be more systematic while investigating deaths of the COVID-19 patients,” he said, adding that a uniform approach for the purpose would be issued shortly.
Dr Zafar said the provinces had been informed about the system built by the National Information Technology Board (NITB) to indicate availability of vents and bed occupancy in the country’s hospitals.
NITB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shabahat Ali Shah, while giving presentation to the NCOC about the system, said that it was meant to facilitate the policy makers in decision making over the coronavirus.
He said all the public sector hospital managements had been given access to the system, enabling them to update the data of their resources recently.
Asad Umar underlined the need for providing access to the website to the provincial health authorities to ensure regular updating of data regarding the availability of beds and ventilators in all the hospitals.
Multiple agendas including new policy for repatriation stranded nationals, procurement of critical equipment by the National Disaster Management Authority also came under discussion.
The CEO National Disaster Risk Management Fund briefed the NCOC about utilization of funds for procurement of the Personal Protective Equipment in the wake of coronavirus.
