Islamabad: National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported, that the national positivity rate of Covid-19 has gone over three per cent in the last 24 hours, with around 168 new cases reported, marking the highest number since September 2022.
The positivity rate in major cities Karachi and Islamabad has also exceeded 5 and 6 per cent, respectively. Despite the rise in cases, officials have stated that the trend is not a cause for concern.
Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, a member of the NCOC, has stated that recent mutations in the virus are responsible for the increase in Covid-19 cases, but he also emphasized that people should not panic as the mortality rate of the new strain is very low.
The national positivity rate was 3.02%, with rates in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi at 6.11%, 5.51%, 3.99%, and 2.61%, respectively. In the past 24 hours, one death has been reported. Dr. Khan, who is also Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy, said that cases will continue to fluctuate as the transmissibility of the virus changes with the arrival of new strains.
According to Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, a member of NCOC and Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy, individuals with good health and middle-aged need not worry about Covid-19 as they are less likely to face severe complications and symptoms. However, individuals over 65 years of age and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, kidney problems and cancer should take extra precautions.
Dr. Khan also mentioned that cases tend to fluctuate with the arrival of new strains of the virus and that even though cases increased last year before summer, the situation remained under control.
According to the NCOC member, while the number of Covid-19 cases has increased, the number of deaths is still minimal. As the virus belongs to the influenza family, it is less active in the summer. However, caution is still advised, and the NCOC has issued fresh guidelines for up to April 30, taking into account the Covid-19 trend in the country.
People should avoid crowded places as the virus is currently only spreading from human to human. The Minister for National Health Services has also emphasized the need to avoid rumors and stated that the government has strengthened the role of Border and Health Services to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19.
Surveillance systems have been set up at all entry points and all arriving passengers are being subjected to rapid tests and screening at all airports.
