COVID-19 positivity rate highest in Hyderabad, Multan and Gilgit: NCOC

The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has noted that the coronavirus positivity rate is increasing with the rate exceeding 15 percent in Hyderabad, Multan and Gilgit.

A meeting was held on Monday to have a discussion on the recent surge in the positivity ratio. The NCOC observed that the overall nationwide positivity ratio is 4.5 percent. In Hyderabad, the positivity ratio is 16.59%, 15.97% in Multan and Gilgit has a 15.38% positivity rate.

Whereas Muzaffarabad has 14.12%, Mirpur 11.11%, Peshawar 9.69%, Quetta 8.03%, Islamabad 7.48%, Karachi 7.12% Lahore 5.37 % and Rawalpindi has 4.63%. The NCOC was also informed that 4,136 micro-small lockdowns are in place across Pakistan, which will remain in force till January 31.

The NCOC was also informed that the Test Trace and Quarantine strategy is being used for disease control and prevention. The meeting was also apprised that 2811 oxygenated beds were included in hospitals, while over 13000 oxygen cylinders were also issued to the provinces and federating units.

On Sunday, the NCOC issued more coronavirus guidelines for wedding halls in which it has made it mandatory for a thermal scan of all attendees at the entrance as well as wearing face masks.

Participants of wedding ceremonies have been directed to sit at least six feet apart, while only lunch boxes and table service has been permitted.