The authorities in Pakistan have alerted citizens to wear facemasks as the country continued to experience rise in Covid-19 cases with the latest figures suggesting another spike in infections.

Pakistan has registered another 133 coronavirus infections with no fatality during the last 24 hours (Thursday), showed the statistics released by the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the NIH data, the death toll in the country remained the same at 30,645 whereas the number of total infections now shot up to 1,578,046 after adding the fresh 133 cases.

https://twitter.com/NIH_Pakistan/status/1636543418083184641

During the last 24 hours (Thursday), 4,917 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio stood at 2.70%. The number of patients in critical care stood at 15.

Facemask advice

The federal government has advised all citizens to wear a facemask when stepping in crowded places as the country continued to witness rising Covid cases. 

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in a tweet conveyed that amid the current Covid-19 disease trends across the country, the centre recommended following guidelines for the period up to 30 April 2023. "Mask wearing is recommended at crowded tightly enclosed spaces including healthcare facilities."

https://twitter.com/NIH_Pakistan/status/1636329491445448704

Alert issued as India sees rise in Covid cases

With Covid cases rising, particularly in six states, the Indian government has written to them saying they should focus on controlling the sudden increase in the viral infection. 

The Indian health and family welfare ministry on Thursday wrote to the state governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in Covid-19 cases.

India has observed a significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases during the past few months. However, in the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8, 2023, which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15, said the Indian government’s letter.

There are few states which are reporting a higher number of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infections and there is a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic, said the health ministry.

“Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly cases from 355 in the week ending March 8, 2023 to 668 in the week ending 15th March 2023. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.92 percent in week ending March 15 which is higher than India’s positivity rate of 0.61 percent during the same period,” the letter read.

Gujarat has reported an increase in weekly cases from 105 in the week ending March 8, 2023 to 279 in the week ending March 15. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.11 percent in the week ending March 15 which is higher than India’s positivity rate of 0.61 percent during the same period, the letter said.

“It is advised that state should examine the situation of Covid-19 at the micro level (district and sub-districts) and maintain focus on the implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid-19 duly ensuring effective compliance with various advisories issued by this Ministry.”

According to health ministry, there are 4,623 active Covid cases in the country. Maharashtra reported 125 new Covid cases on Thursday while Karnataka reported 42 cases. Notably, Karnataka also reported a death due to disease on Thursday.

Tamil Nadu reported 12 Covid cases, Telangana 29 and Gujarat logged 68 cases on Thursday. Kerala reported 36 cases Covid cases on Thursday, as per the ministry.

In the nationwide Covid vaccination drive, 220,64,80,756 doses were administered so far.