92 COVID-19 hotspots identified using technology in 20 cities, Asad Umar

Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Sunday said that 92 coronavirus hotspots in the country have so far been identified in 20 cities with the help of technology, adding that this has covered the 40% of all active cases.

The minister, who heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), said that a lockdown in COVID-19 hotspots would affect only 3% of the country’s total population.

He said relevant information regarding the hotspots had been delivered to the respective provinces.

“Smart lockdown in these hotspots can stop the spread of the pandemic,” he said, adding: “Following the SOPs [standard operating procedures] is essential to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the media talk, Umar informed that the federal government provided at least 189 oxygen beds to the medical facilities in Islamabad adding that by the end of July, 2100 more oxygen beds will be given to the hospitals.

These oxygen beds would be given to the Polyclinic Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital, he said.