20 cities identified with potential Covid hotspots
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The National Command and Operations Centre on Monday identified 20 cities across Pakistan with potential Covid-19 hotspots using a strategy termed as ‘testing, tracing and quarantining.’
The ‘testing, tracing and quarantining strategy involves ramping up Covid-19 testing followed by rapidly tracing the contacts of confirmed positive cases, and effective quarantining of positive and suspected cases.
The 20 cities identified by the National Command and Operations Centre for the enforcement of “necessary restrictive measures” include Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranawala, Swat, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sialkot,Gujarat, Ghotki, Larkana, Khairpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Malakand and Mardan.
The NCOC’s strategy of ‘testing, tracing and quarantining was formulated to keep the spread of the novel coronavirus in check as different sectors of the economy were allowed to reopen, according to press release issued by the centre.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan taking notice of the shortage of medicines and injections for Covid-19 patients has directed the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority to ensure their availability and easy access.
Chairing a review meeting on situation of coronavirus here on Monday, the prime minister said proper treatment and following of standard operating procedures could help control the spread of the disease.
Premier Khan expressed satisfaction over the availability of protective gear and Personal Protective Kits as per requirement in fighting coronavirus.
As the government took necessary measures to control the pandemic, he said the supportive role of public was equally important.
He urged upon the public representatives and leadership to remain vigilant with the help of local administration about the facilities at hospitals for Covid-19 patients.
Imran Khan said directions had been issued to provinces on ensuring a ‘smart lockdown’ and maintaining a balance in protective measures and economic activities during next few difficult weeks.
The meeting discussed measures to meet challenges of upcoming situation in view of availability of beds, oxygen cylinders, ventilators and facilities for the coronavirus patients.
It was informed that at present, 107 corona testing laboratories were operational across the country with 25,000 tests carried out on daily basis.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will chair a meeting of the federal cabinet here today which will discuss the political and economic situation of the county. The meeting will endorse the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee in June 10.
Sources said the approval for the establishment of the Covid-19 fund under State Bank of Pakistan is also included in the cabinet agenda. The cabinet meeting will approve the further amendments in the Children Act.
