web analytics

ARY NEWS

Jahangir Khan

  • Pakistan approves another Covid-19 vaccine for booster shots

    Pakistan approves another Covid-19 vaccine for booster shots

    ISLAMABAD: With the positivity rate of coronavirus currently hovering at 9.48 per cent, the federal health ministry on Wednesday included another vaccine in the Covid-19 booster set and approved the use of AstraZeneca’s booster shot for general public, ARY News reported.

    The move comes to facilitate citizens waiting to get Covid booster shots of their choices as the Omicron variant spreading fast across the country.

    Citizens who have been vaccinated for six months and are aged 18 or more will be eligible for the AstraZeneca booster dose.

    Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Sinovac can be availed as booster shots. The booster shots will be administered to people at designated vaccination centres.

    With the fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic intensifying, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decided last Friday to lower the age limit for a Covid-19 booster dose.

    The decision was taken at a meeting of the country’s nerve centre for Covid response in Islamabad. Citizens aged 18 years and above will be eligible for a booster dose of the vaccine of their choice from tomorrow (Saturday), it said.

  • NCOC okays 25pc attendance for PSL 7 matches in Karachi

    NCOC okays 25pc attendance for PSL 7 matches in Karachi

    ISLAMABAD: National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has allowed 25 percent attendance for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7 matches in Karachi, ARY NEWS reported.

    The NCOC has conveyed letters to the federal and provincial governments and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to disseminate its decision regarding the PSL 7 matches in Karachi.

    It said that only fully vaccinated individuals would be allowed to visit stadiums and further elaborated that people from all age groups would be allowed to witness live matches from the stadium.

    The decision-making body on COVID situation in the country further shared that guidelines regarding PSL 7 matches in Lahore would be finalized in the first week of February.

    “Individuals above the age of 12 coming to the stadium should be fully vaccinated and PCB will devise a mechanism to confirm that tickets are being issued to vaccinated individuals only,” it said and added that PCB would also be responsible for security and implementation of COVID SOPs including facemask and social distancing measures within the premises of the stadiums.

    The PSL 7 will begin on January 27 with the opening game between former champions Karachi Kings and current holders Multan Sultans. Cricket lovers will be able to watch the whole season in HD on A-Sports.

    Read More: TEAMS PICK PLAYERS IN PSL 7 SUPPLEMENTARY AND REPLACEMENT DRAFT

    Pakistan Cricket Board announced that singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig will sing Pakistan Super League 7 anthem.

    According to the cricket board’s press release, PSL 7 anthem – which is produced by Abdullah Siddiqui – will be released next week.

  • 50% attendance in schools as NCOC announces Covid restrictions

    50% attendance in schools as NCOC announces Covid restrictions

    ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced Wednesday a string of restrictions to curb rising Covid-19 cases.

    A session of the country’s nerve centre for Covid response with Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar in the chair approved imposing restrictions from Jan 20 till Jan 31. These restrictions will be reviewed on Jan 27.

    Following are the restrictions outlined by the NCOC:

    • Classes for students aged below 12 years will be allowed with 50 per cent attendance in cities having an infection rate of over 10%. In other cities, however, schools will remain open with full attendance and students over the age of 12 years must be fully vaccinated.
    • Vaccination of students above 12 years will be compulsory from Feb 1.
    • Large-scale testing will be carried out at “high disease prevalence” educational institutes for targeted closure.
    • Markets and businesses will continue to operate without any restriction.
    • Indoor and outdoor dining, as well as wedding functions will be allowed only for vaccinated people.
    • There will be a complete ban on indoor dining and weddings in cities with over 10% Covid positivity ratio with effect from Jan 24. However, outdoor dining and weddings with maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated guests will be allowed.
    • Only vaccinated people will be allowed in gyms, cinemas, shrines, and amusement parks. However, 50% capacity will be ensured at these places in cities with more than 10% positivity rate.
    • Public transport will operate with 70% occupancy (trains at 80%) for fully vaccinated and mask wearing will be mandatory throughout the journey.

    Also Read: Covid positivity ratio in Karachi alarming, crosses 40 pct

    Also Read: Pakistan reports over 5,000 COVID-19 cases for second consecutive day

  • Omicron: NIH plans ‘massive’ Covid-19 testing drive in schools

    Omicron: NIH plans ‘massive’ Covid-19 testing drive in schools

    ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has finalized arrangements to launch a “massive” countrywide COVID-19 testing drive at educational institutions to stem the spread of new Omicron Covid variant cases, ARY News reported on Tuesday citing sources.

    The NIH has decided to commence large-scale coronavirus testing at educational institutions across the country, sources informed ARY News, adding that the campaign will continue for two weeks.

    The health ministry also decided to close educational institutions for one week reporting the highest Covid-19 positivity ratio, said sources.

    Meanwhile, the NIH has also declared Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for students aged 12 years and above, while the non-vaccinated students have to show medical exemption certificates, sources added.

    The development comes after coronavirus cases increased in educational institutions.

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) yesterday decided against closing schools in light of rising cases of Covid-19.

    Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar presided over a meeting of the NCOC that took stock of the current Covid-19 situation and mulled over restrictions to control the spread of the virus.

    Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and provincial education ministers attended the meeting via video link.

    Also Read: NCOC to reimpose restrictions after sharp rise in COVID-19 cases

    The country’s nerve centre for Covid response had decided to begin large-scale Covid-19 testing at educational institutions. The decision on closure of schools will be taken after reviewing the case trend, it said.

    Pakistan Covid cases

    Pakistan has reported 5,034 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, pushing the countrywide tally of cases to 1,333,521.

    According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 53,253 samples were tested, out of which 5,034 turned out to be positive at the positivity rate of 9.45 per cent.

    Ten more patients of COVID-19 succumbed to the viral disease in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 29,029. The number of critical patients rose to 827.

    Pakistan has conducted 24,239,761 tests so far to diagnose the deadly virus and 1,264,611 people have regained their health.

  • NCOC proposes COVID restrictions in urban centres amid Omicron spike

    NCOC proposes COVID restrictions in urban centres amid Omicron spike

    ISLAMABAD: National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Saturday discussed the need for restrictions on movement, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), amid a surge in COVID cases especially the Omicron variant, ARY NEWS reported.

    According to details shared after the NCOC meeting headed by Asad Umar, the forum reviewed the disease’s trends in the country and discussed the epidemic curve chart data, disease prevalence and proposed NPIs in wake of rising disease trends in the country, especially in the urban centers.

    The NCOC decided to extensively engage with provinces especially with the Sindh government for necessary measures to tackle the rising disease.

    The forum that is at the centre of devising a strategy to deal with the COVID situation in Pakistan reviewed existing NPIs and called on provincial health and education ministers session on 17 January 22.

    The session was convened to suggest the new set of restrictions focusing on the education sector, public gatherings, marriage ceremonies, indoor and outdoor dining and transport sector.

    Read More: SCHOOLS TO STAY OPEN AS SINDH ANNOUNCES NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS

    The NCOC also directed the provinces to conduct surveys on oxygen stock and other medical facilities needed to deal with emergency response in case of a COVID surge.

    It also directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to strictly implement COVID SOPs during travel besides also banning any sort of foodservice. The provinces are also directed to implement SOPs on transport and education sectors, restaurants and marriage halls.

  • 95 more test positive for Omicron in Islamabad

    95 more test positive for Omicron in Islamabad

    ISLAMABAD: As many as 95 more people have tested positive for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in Islamabad in the last 24 hours.

    District Health Officer (DHO) Zaeem Zia said the capital’s tally of Omicron cases climbed to 306 with the addition of new infections. He said a total of 113 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported when 3,785 tests were conducted, showing the positivity rate of 2.99.

    Also Read: Schools ordered to complete Covid vaccination of students

    He urged citizens to get themselves vaccinated against Covid-19 on a priority basis and adhere to the SOPs to stop the spread of the viral disease.

    Covid-19 cases are steadily rising across Pakistan. As many as 1,649 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported in the country during the past 24 hours.

    Also Read: COVID-19 infects 1,649 more Pakistanis

    According to the data shared by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 45,002 samples were tested out of which 1,649 turned out to be positive, showing a national positivity rate of 3.66 per cent as compared to yesterday’s 3.16%.

  • Pakistan vaccinates 160 million people against COVID-19

    Pakistan vaccinates 160 million people against COVID-19

    ISLAMABAD: With the emergence of the COVID-19 cases in the country, the vaccination campaign against the pandemic has also been geared up.

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), as many as 160 million population of the country has been vaccinated against the COVID-19.

    As many as 72,995,114 people have received both of their COVID-19 doses so far, while 98,863,864 have been given one dose of the vaccine so far, the latest data released on the National Covid-19 response dashboard said.

    In the last 24 hours, as many as 842,144 people have been inoculated with the vaccine.

    Read more: Pakistan sees highest COVID-19 cases in two months

    Pakistan has reported 1,085 COVID-19 cases in a single day, its highest tally in two months, as authorities warned of a fifth wave of infections and made preparations to try to contain the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

    According to the latest figures shared by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 46,585 samples were tested during this period, out of which 1,085 turned out to be positive, showing a national positivity rate of 2.32% as compared to yesterday’s 1.8 per cent.

  • Omicron on the rise in Islamabad as 14 new cases detected

    Omicron on the rise in Islamabad as 14 new cases detected

    ISLAMABAD: At least 14 more people have tested positive for the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in Islamabad during the past 24 hours, ARY News reported on Monday.

    The District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Zaeem has confirmed that 14 new Omicron cases have been reported in Islamabad, taking the overall tally of cases to 114.

    The district administration has asked citizens to wear face masks and undergo COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest.

    Read: 62 MORE TEST POSITIVE FOR OMICRON IN LAHORE

    Officials of the capital administration on Sunday had confirmed 18 Omicron cases in the federal capital.

    Covid-19 cases are on the rise across the country that reported 708 fresh infections in the previous 24 hours with the positivity rate of 1.55 per cent.

    Read more: Pakistan starts COVID-19 booster jabs for people over 30

    According to the NCOC, a total of 45,643 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, out of which 708 turned out to be positive, showing a national positivity rate of 1.55 per cent as compared to yesterday’s 1.3%.

    The death toll from the pandemic climbed to 28,943 after two more patients succumbed to the viral disease in the past 24 hours. The number of Covid-19 patients in critical care in various hospitals across the country stands at 642.

  • Omicron cases rise to 75 across Pakistan: NIH

    Omicron cases rise to 75 across Pakistan: NIH

    ISLAMABAD: The nationwide case tally of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has reached 75, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed on Tuesday.

    According to the NIH data, Karachi has reported 33 omicron cases, 17 cases were reported in Islamabad, 13 in Lahore and 12 cases of Omicron were detected in people coming from abroad.

    The NIH said that authorities are conducting contact tracing to prevent the further spread of omicron variant in the country.

    On Dec 13, the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed Pakistan’s first case of Covid-19 Omicron variant in a woman patient from the port city.

    In a Twitter statement, the NIH had said it has been able to “confirm (via whole genome sequencing) that a recently suspected sample from Karachi is indeed the ‘Omicron variant’ of SARS-CoV2.”

    Read More: LAHORE REPORTS FIRST OMICRON CASE

    Yesterday, Lahore reported the first case of new COVID-19 strain, Omicron, Punjab Health Department had confirmed.

    According to Punjab Health Secretary Sikandar Baloch, the virus was detected in the 23-year-old man from Lahore. The patient is a resident of Gulberg area.

    The health authorities said that the patient has no international travel history.

    Moreover, the health department had also sent samples of more than 10 suspected cases of omicron variant to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad.

    According to a study, the risk of reinfection with the Omicron coronavirus variant is more than five times higher and it has shown no sign of being milder than Delta.

  • Winter vacations in educational institutions from Jan 3: NCOC

    Winter vacations in educational institutions from Jan 3: NCOC

    ISLAMABAD: Winter vacations in all educational institutions will begin from Jan 3, 2022, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced on Friday.

    The decision to this effect was reached during a meeting presided over by NCOC head Asad Umar. Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan were in attendance in the meeting.

    “During today’s NCOC session, it is decided that Winter vacation in education sector will start from 3rd January 22 apart from Fog / Smog hit districts of Pakistan. Federating units will issue notifications accordingly,” the country’s nerve centre for Covid response said in a Twitter statement.

    The decision will not be applicable to the areas experiencing extreme weather conditions.

    The NCOC observed that millions of students have not yet been inoculated against the coronavirus. “The decision is aimed to ensure vaccination of maximum number of students, which is only possible if educational institutions stay open,” it said.

    The forum urged parents to have their children vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible.