Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate shoots up to 7.8%

Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate shoots up to 7.8% on Thursday.

The rising COVID-19 cases have rung the alarming bell and the citizens must act responsibly during this third wave of coronavirus.

The country on Thursday reported  3,495 new cases and 61 deaths, which is the highest single-day tally since Jan 1, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

With the new reported COVID-19 cases country’s total count of active cases now stands at 24,592. 

Meanwhile, as many as 1,634 patients have recovered from the virus in a day and 2,062 patients are still in critical condition including 84 new cases.

According to the daily data issued by the NCOC, 44,377 coronavirus tests were conducted during the past 24 hours out of which 3,495 came back positive.

Amid the surge in coronavirus cases, NCOC has expressed serious concerns over violations of COVID-19 related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the citizens.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of NCOC has held under the chair of the Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar.

Read More: Pakistan Reports 2,351 New Coronavirus Cases And 61 Deaths During Last 24 Hours

The forum was briefed about the implementation of anti-coronavirus guidelines.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has urged the citizens to be very careful as the new strain of Covid spreads faster and is more deadly.

In a tweet, Asad Umar said that the hospitals’ daily admissions and people in critical care are rising fast.

He also stated that if SOP compliance does not improve, the government will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities.

Later in the day,  PM Imran Khan received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

PM has appealed to the nation to ensure compliance with all standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of Covid-19 amid an intensifying third wave, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) quoted him as saying.

Furthermore, the Punjab government imposed smart lockdowns in few more areas of Gujrat, Sialkot, and Hafizabad considering those areas COVID-19 hotspots.

The smart lockdown will remain in effect in Gujrat till March 30, till March 24 in Sialkot and March 26 in Hafizabad.

Because of Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate the areas under lockdown include:

• Area Road, University Road and Warraich Street – Gujrat
• Mohalla School Wala, Village Chitti Sheikhan – Sialkot
• Nai Abadi, Habibpura, Street No 5 – Sialkot
• Sector B, Street No 15, Askari 2, Cantt – Sialkot
• Aliul Haq Road, Model Town – Sialkot
• Maghribi Mohalla near Milad Chowk, Marakiwal – Sialkot
• Gala Tararanwala, Akhter Town, Kolo Road – Hafizabad

According to a notification issued from the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, all markets, shopping malls, offices, and restaurants will remain closed in the areas. There will also be a complete ban on gatherings of any kind.

However, grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, bakeries, meat, and milk shops will be allowed to remain open.