ISLAMABAD, July 1: Amid fears of a resurgence of Covid-19, Pakistan on Friday reported nearly 700 new cases as the positivity rate rose to 3.9 per cent.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), 694 new coronavirus cases were recorded during the last 24 hours, up from 641 a day earlier. The number is the highest since March 10 when 723 infections were detected.
The positivity rate also rose to 3.93pc from 3.41pc a day earlier. Further, 17,640 Covid-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours while 101 patients were in critical care.
However, no deaths were reported during this period.
In a statement, federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said that the government was taking several measures to control the surge in cases.
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has been holding meetings on a daily basis to overview the virus situation in the country, he said. “But we want the public to adopt precautionary measures and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) religiously.
“Specially during Eidul Azha, make sure you are wearing masks in public spaces and practicing social distancing,” the minister stressed. Avoid going to crowded areas, don’t hug or shake hands on Eid and get immunised against the virus, he added. Patel also urged the ulema to ensure social distancing inside mosques and at religious gatherings.
Positivity rates in Sindh
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah held a meeting of the provincial task force on coronavirus, during which he emphasised that the positivity rate must be brought down before Eidul Azha. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Nasir Shah and Sharjeel Memon, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Qasim Soomro, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Fayyaz Jatoi, Interior Secretary Dr Saeed Ahmed Magnejo, and other officials and health experts. – NNI
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