Covid-19: Situation could further worsen if SOPs not followed, warns Dr Zafar

Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza on Friday warned that the Covid-19 situation could further worsen if the people did not follow the precautionary measures.

Speaking at a presser here, he said the country recorded 2,603 new coronavirus cases with 50 deaths during the last 24 four hours, which were the highest in a single day.

He said the country also conducted the highest number of coronavirus tests during the last twenty-four hours. Mirza recalled that the lockdown was eased in view of the difficulties of the poor people and the daily wagers.

He said it had been made mandatory for the people to wear masks at any gathering or while using the public transport. Mirza said it would help the people to keep themselves and others safe from the contagion.

He also appealed to citizens to follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs) during Eid days and avoiding hand shakes and hugs. He said there were complaints about violation of SOPs during Eid activities in markets by the citizens and shopkeepers.

Mirza asked the citizens to support the efforts of the government in its fight against the Covid-19 and effectively implementing its lockdown relaxation policy to continue business activities and normalizing the lives of citizens.

He said this relaxation policy could be successfully implemented, if citizens fully cooperate with the government and implemented all the SOPs otherwise there were chances of the spread of the disease.

He urged citizens to take preventive measures against the Covid-19 during remaining days of Ramazanul Mubarak to mitigate pandemic in the country.

Mirza said there were still threats of spread of the disease and asked the citizens to continue implementing protective measures as per directions to stem the increase in coronavirus cases. He said in order to create awareness in public about preventive measures during Ramazan, the government had tried its level best to publicly share all SOPs.

He said SOPs had been prepared for all persons concerned keeping in view the prevailing disease situation and asked the citizens to read these SOPs.

The country has reported its highest one-day toll of more than 2,000 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the nation-wide toll to 50,694.

A total of 50 people have lost their lives. As for patients under treatment from the Covid-19, there are about 11,561 patients in hospitals across the country out of which 372 are said to be in a critical condition.

The number of coronavirus patients in Sindh has increased from 18,455, to 19,924. An estimated 18,455 cases have been reported from Punjab, 7,155 cases from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and 3,074 cases have emerged in Balochistan.

Besides, the number of coronavirus patients in Islamabad has increased to 1,326, 602 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 158 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Meanwhile, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif had tested negative for the novel coronavirus, party leaders confirmed.

Party leader Rana Mashhood said that Sharif, along with other senior the PML-N leaders had gotten tested after Ataul Haq Tarrar contracted the virus. Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has announced a relief package for newspaper hawkers, which would be supported by Baitul Mal and charity organisation Penny Appeal Pakistan.

Addressing a ceremony, he said that though the government had introduced a cash assistance programme for lower-income people, "in situations like these, there are some segments that are left out". He lauded the services of hawkers, saying that they delivered newspapers in the early hours of the morning, even in difficult situations.

"You don't see them, but when you wake up every morning, your newspaper has already arrived. Whether it's summer or winter, whether it's raining or snowing, they make sure everyone gets their newspaper in the morning."