Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate jumps past 4% for first time since May 30

Islamabad: Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate crossed 4 per cent on Sunday with 1,980 new cases of the virus reported during the past 24 hours, according to the National Command and Operation Centre’s (NCOC) latest data.

This is the first time since May 30 that the country’s positivity rate has recorded 4.09 per cent. On May 30 it was reported at 4.05 per cent.

According to the NCOC, in the past 24 hours, Pakistan reported another 27 deaths and 1,980 new cases of COVID-19 after 48,382 tests. The country’s active cases also jumped from 36,454 on Saturday to 37,499 on Sunday.

Increase in cases raise concern

According to the NCOC, there is a threefold increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 every day in less than three weeks.

According to the health experts the reopening of businesses and tourism sector and easing of some restrictions like ban on dine-in could be attributed to this spike in cases.

They have urged the government to announce a lockdown so that Eid Al Adha is celebrated with the observance of strict health-related restrictions.

Vaccinated individuals advised for Eid Al Adha shopping

With Eid Al Adha’s date announced by the government (July 21) and public allowed to do shopping and visit the cattle market to purchase sacrificial animals, the authorities are haunted by the memories of last year’s Eid when a similar ease in restrictions had resulted in unprecedented increase in number of cases and the situation had almost gone out of control.

District Health Officer (DHO) of Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia in a general advisory to the public, cautioned the public to avoid crowded places wherever possible, especially shopping markets, cattle markets and observe precautionary measures during Eid Al Adha. “Only vaccinated individuals are advised to visit the cattle markets to keep their families safe,” said the DHO in the advisory.

50-year-old people most vulnerable

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar in a tweet on Sunday termed Pakistan’s population in the age group 50 years and above are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

In Pakistan, we have a 27.2 million population of this age group and they are the most vulnerable to serious health effects of COVID-19, said Asad Umar.

So far 5.6 million or 20.6 per cent of this age group have received at least one dose of vaccine, said the minister in his tweet requesting the people to encourage all of this age group to vaccinate as soon as possible.

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