–SAPM Dr Mirza asks people not to let their guard down as 57 people succumb to deadly virus in last 24 hours
–Says testing ‘again gaining momentum’ after slowing down during Eid holidays
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza on Friday warned the masses not to let their guard down against Covid-19, saying the number of positive cases and deaths could increase in the country in the coming days.
The warning came as Pakistan witnessed 57 deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest recorded figure in a day so far.
Addressing the media in the federal capital, Dr Mirza said that 157 patients were on ventilators. He said that 64,000 confirmed cases were reported throughout the country till date while during last 24 hours, 2,636 new cases were reported. He added that 35 per cent patients had recovered completely while over 520,000 corona tests had been conducted so far.
Dr Mirza said that testing during Eid holidays was slow but “is again gaining momentum”.
He said the situation regarding availability of ventilators and beds across the country is under control. “Only 18 to 20 per cent out of total number of ventilators are in use at the moment,” he added.
Dr Mirza said the people could not grasp the situation regarding the lockdown, adding that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) is closely watching the situation and will adopt strategy accordingly in consultation with various stakeholders.
The PM’s aide went on to say that there has been no evidence so far of transmission of coronavirus from a dead body. However, he added, that the handlers of the body should adopt all precautionary measures, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“A new instruction guide has been issued for the people who die of coronavirus,” he said.
He said the government has developed a health information system to keep the status of available facilities at public sector hospitals updated in the wake of growing Covid-19 cases. He added that due to the information system, the government would be able to know the occupancy of beds and ventilators, and their availability at the intensive care units and allocated wards of hospitals.
He said with the help of the system, the authorities concerned could easily manage the situation in hospitals to properly treat the corona patients. Moreover, the shortage of any necessary equipment could also be addressed.
PROVINCES ASKED TO SHARE UPDATES ON REM:
Earlier in the day, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar directed the provinces to share their latest Covid-19 combating efforts and information about the pandemic in their respective areas on the Resource Management (RMS) to facilitate people.
Chairing a meeting at NCOC to review the situation, he said that the RMS was effectively providing latest information about the availability of beds, ventilators and other facilities available in hospitals across the country.
The representatives of provinces, AJK, GB and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) expressed satisfaction over the workings of the RMS.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf briefed the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) about the latest plan of bringing back stranded Pakistanis and testing plans of the suspected patients.
from Pakistan Today https://ift.tt/2ZVGY4i
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