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ARY NEWS

Jahangir Khan

  • NCOC allows travel from C category countries

    NCOC allows travel from C category countries

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis living in Category C countries can return to the homeland until December 31, announced the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday.

    Earlier on December 6, the NCOC had slapped a complete ban on inbound travel of Category C countries amid the threat of the potential spread of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.

    The country’s top platform overseeing Covid response reviewed the prevailing Covid situation across the globe and revised the air travel policy for the Cat C list.

    The NCOC said travelers having National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and POC can return to Pakistan by adopting health protocols.

    According to the health protocols, all passengers must be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the departure). The passengers coming from the countries, where Omicron has spread, have to undergo quarantine as a precautionary measure, the NCOC said.

    The Cat C countries include Croatia, Hungry, Netherlands, Ukraine, Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Poland, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

    Read more: NCOC expands testing capacity in high-risk areas amid Omicron outbreak

    Earlier the forum said, passengers arriving from the Cat B countries are required to be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the landing). Random RATs of passengers travelling from these countries will be conducted at airport.

    Category B countries include Germany, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Russia, USA, UK, Thailand, France, Austria, Afghanistan and Turkey.

    The Cat ‘A’ countries include all states that are not included in Cat ‘C’ and ‘B’. Travelers from the Cat A countries are required to be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the boarding).

    In addition to that, transit flights arriving via Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar will be subjected to screening to stop the potential transmission of the Omicron variant through indirect flights.

  • NIH confirms Pakistan’s first case of Omicron variant in Karachi woman

    NIH confirms Pakistan’s first case of Omicron variant in Karachi woman

    ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed on Monday Pakistan’s first case of Covid-19 Omicron variant in a Karachi resident.

    Sources told ARY News that the NIH received samples of three suspected cases of Omicron variant from Karachi for genome sequencing, a study that confirms the exact variant of the virus.

    Results of the samples were received on the completion of the genomic study, they said, disclosing that the sample of a 65-year-old woman was found to be carrying the new strain of coronavirus.

    She had not gotten herself inoculated against the viral disease, the sources said. The affected patient has been isolating at home since December 8.

    In a Twitter statement, the NIH 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.”

    “This is the first confirmed case but continued surveillance of suspected samples is in place to identify the trends.”

    On Dec 8, the Sindh government claimed that a suspected case of Omicron variant has been detected in Karachi. Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho had said, “The symptoms of the female patient was pointing out a likely case of Omicron variant.”

    “Omicron rapidly spreads with a lesser ratio of deaths,” health minister Pechuho said. “Female patient of suspected Omicron virus infection, was unvaccinated.”

  • DRAP’s e-governance system enters final phase

    DRAP’s e-governance system enters final phase

    ISLAMABAD: The e-governance system of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has entered the final phase as the institution took steps to switch to the paperless working environment, ARY News reported on Saturday.

    In a revolutionary step for facilitating the pharmaceutical industry besides ensuring transparency, quality and a paperless working environment, the DRAP has started digitalisation of all of its departments through its e-governance system.

    Sources closer to the health ministry told ARY News that the e-governance system of DRAP will be formally inaugurated by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.

    The authority has digitalised the records of imports and exports besides accepting online applications for the licencing of medicines, said sources, adding that NOCs are also being issued to the citizens for importing medicines.

    It was learnt that DRAP has digitalised its 15-year records besides storing 4.5 million documents to its new e-governance system.

    In December last year, DRAP had launched an online application management system named Pakistan Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (PIRIMS) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to get linked with the pharmaceutical companies and applicants.

    The online application management system had linked the functions of licensing, registration, inspection, post-market surveillance and pharmacovigilance on one platform.

    The software had been developed according to international standards of data and supports Common Technical Document (CTD) submission, online inspection reporting of pharmaceutical firms, quality assurance and market surveillance of medicines and adverse drug reaction reporting.

  • Omicron variant: NCOC bans travel from Cat C countries

    Omicron variant: NCOC bans travel from Cat C countries

    ISLAMABAD: Amidst the threat of the potential spread of new Covid-19 Omicron variant to Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday imposed a complete ban on inbound travel from Category C countries.

    The country’s top platform overseeing Covid response reviewed the prevailing Covid situation across the globe and revised the policy for categorisation of air travel and the Cat C list.

    The Cat C countries include Croatia, Hungry, Netherlands, Ukraine, Ireland, Slovenia, Vietnam, Poland, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

    The NCOC said there will be a complete ban on inbound travel from the Cat C countries and essential travel from these countries would warrant an exemption certificate from the government’s exemption committee with a set of health protocols.

    According to the health protocols, all passengers must be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the departure). Apart from that, all passengers aged 6 years and above will have to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on arrival at airport.

    The National Command and Operation Centre said flyers with a negative RAT report will be allowed to enter the country. However, passengers with a negative RAT report from countries that have reported Omicron variant such as South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia will have to undergo three days’ mandatory quarantine to be followed by a PCR test.

    Passengers with a positive RAT will have to quarantine for 10 days and undergo a PCR test on the eighth day of their quarantine. In case of negative result, they will be allowed to walk free. However, in case of a positive result, passengers will either undergo additional quarantine or will be shifted to a hospital as per the advice of health authorities.

    The Category B countries include Germany, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Russia, USA, UK, Thailand, France, Austria, Afghanistan and Turkey.

    Passengers arriving from the Cat B countries are also required to be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the landing). Random RATs of passengers travelling from these countries will be conducted at airport.

    The Cat ‘A’ countries include all states that are not included in Cat ‘C’ and ‘B’. Travelers from the Cat A countries are required to be fully vaccinated with a negative PCR test report (maximum 48 hours prior to the boarding).

    In addition to that, transit flights arriving via Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar will subjected to screening to stop the potential transmission of Omicron variant through indirect flights.

  • NCOC starts Covid booster shots. Who will get a third jab?

    NCOC starts Covid booster shots. Who will get a third jab?

    ISLAMABAD: Amidst the threat of transmission of new Covid strain ‘Omicron’ to Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has approved a booster jab for people to strengthen their protection against the new variant.

    The country’s top platform overseeing Covid response authorised booster shots for three groups of people including healthcare workers, those aged 50 and above and people who are immunocompromised.

    The booster shot will be free of cost and can be administered at least six months after the administration of the last dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

    Also Read: Covid-19: 9 more deaths and 414 fresh cases in Pakistan

    The NCOC emphasised that Omicron variant is spreading fast across the globe and only protection against it is vaccination, calling for implementation of the basic SOPs, including mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing.

    It decided to take strict measures regarding the obligatory vaccination regime with inoculation teams to be deployed at various public spots to vaccinate individuals against the coronavirus.

    The NCOC will launch a special Covid-19 vaccination campaign on Dec 1. The forum instructed the provinces and authorities concerned to adopt a zero tolerance policy against individuals refusing Covid vaccine.

    Also Read: NCOC expands testing capacity in high-risk areas amid Omicron outbreak

    As many as 40 call centers have been established across the country to reach out to people who have not yet gotten their second dose.

  • Govt to start COVID-19 vaccine booster shots amid Omicron concerns

    Govt to start COVID-19 vaccine booster shots amid Omicron concerns

    KARACHI: The federal government has decided to administer coronavirus booster shots to the general public aimed at curtailing the spread of Omicron, a new heavily mutated Covid-19 strain, ARY News reported citing sources.

    As per the strategy finalised by the Health Department, the government is likely to start offering Covid-19 booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals from December 1. The booster shots will be administered in phases, said sources.

    In first phase, healthcare workers and fully vaccinated individuals aged 50 and older can avail the facility which will be free of cost, sources informed ARY News.

    Travel restrictions 

    The variant, now known as Omicron, has prompted countries across the globe including Pakistan to limit travel from southern Africa, where the virus was first detected.

    Head of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar Saturday had announced to impose a travel ban on seven countries after the emergence of a new COVID variant, Omicron.

    Read More: NCOC expands testing capacity in high-risk areas amid Omicron outbreak

    “Notification has been issued to restrict travel from 6 south [African] countries and Hong Kong,” he had said adding that the emergence of a new variant makes it even more urgent to vaccinate all eligible citizens of 12 years and older.

    Pakistan sees spike in Covid cases

    As the threat of new Covid strain ‘Omicron’ spreading to Pakistan looms large, the country recorded a spike in new cases of the pandemic in the last 24 hours.

    According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, a total of 42,577 samples were tested, out of which 475 turned out to be positive, taking the country’s caseload to 1,284,840.

    The positivity rate rose to 1.1 per cent from 0.59 per cent recorded the previous day.

    The death toll jumped to 28,728 after ten more people 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 has come down to 905.

  • NCOC reviews national vaccination strategy, Covid situation

    NCOC reviews national vaccination strategy, Covid situation

    ISLAMABAD: The session of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) was held under the chair of Federal Minister Asad Umar to review the national vaccination strategy and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    Concerned officials gave a briefing to the NCOC participants regarding the number of COVID-19 cases and the rate of its spread in the country. The centre expressed satisfaction over the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The NCOC observed a visible reduction in the Covid positive cases and mortalities besides witnessing a decrease in the hospital admissions of the coronavirus patients.

    READ: NCOC EASES OUT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN CITIES WITH OVER 40 PCT VACCINATION

    The provinces have been directed by the NCOC to expedite the Covid vaccination process for achieving the prescribed targets.

    Earlier in the day, the health ministry shared the vaccination statistics on its Twitter, saying that the total count of doses administered till now stands at 121.1 million, whereas, the doses administered in the last 24 hours is 4.56 lakh.

    Moreover, Pakistan reported 315 fresh cases of Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, taking the tally of confirmed infections to 1,282,509.

    According to the NCOC’s data posted Tuesday, a total of 35,332 samples were tested during this period, out of which 315 turned out to be positive.

    The infection rate slightly rose to 0.89 from 0.86 per cent against the previous day.

    The death toll from the pandemic climbed to 28,667 after five more people succumbed to the viral disease in the last 24 hours. The number of Covid-19 patients in critical care in hospitals across the country has come down to 1,026.

  • DRAP intervenes amid paracetamol shortage owing to rising dengue cases

    DRAP intervenes amid paracetamol shortage owing to rising dengue cases

    ISLAMABAD: Amid rising cases of dengue in the country, an artificial shortage of paracetamol pills has been created nationwide, prompting the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to intervene and ensure its supply on prescribed rates, ARY NEWS reported.

    According to sources privy to the development, DRAP head Dr. Asim Rauf has issued a letter to provincial offices of the authority, directing strict action against any shortages and hike in the price of the pill.

    The letter said that a rise in dengue cases has led to a manifold increase in the demand for the pill and directed the DRAP officials to activate field staff to ensure its availability to the citizens.

    Later speaking to ARY NEWS, the DRAP head said that efforts were underway to ensure the availability of paracetamol pills at the prescribed rate and they had also approached pharmaceutical companies to increase their production.

    He said that paracetamol pills are available in the pharmaceutical markets of Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi and they had also increased surveillance to avoid any shortages.

    “The pill is easily available with separate names across the country,” he said and asked the doctors to create awareness regarding alternate brands of paracetamol to their patients.

    Responding to the issue, Punjab health minister Yasmin Rashid said that dengue cases have seen a downward trend and it has come down to 250 cases a day from over 500 previously.

    Read More: LONG-TERM PARACETAMOL USE POSES RISK, SAYS STUDY

    “We have a stock of 37.5 million Panadol along with the availability of 410 million paracetamol pills in the market,” she said while sharing that 16 companies are authorized to manufacture the drug and the shortage was caused after they lowered their production.

    Dr. Yasmin Rashid further said that the companies have been directed to increase the production of panadol, Calpol, and other paracetamol pills.

  • NCOC directs provinces to expedite COVID-19 vaccination

    NCOC directs provinces to expedite COVID-19 vaccination

    ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has asked the provinces and concerned officials to take steps for expediting the COVID-19 vaccination, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar and Major General Zafar Iqbal have jointly chaired the session of the NCOC which was also attended by the Special Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.

    The centre expressed satisfaction over the Covid vaccination drive in the country. The centre praised the citizens for following the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) that helped the government to curb the spread of the virus.

    The NCOC also paid tribute to the front line healthcare workers to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

    READ: NCOC EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER VACCINATION DRIVE

    The NCOC officials said that the healthcare workers saved many lives, whereas, all segments played a positive role during the pandemic crisis.

    The NCOC said that the national media, telecommunication companies and other parties’ roles were positive during the pandemic while clerics and academies fulfilled their responsibilities.

    Asad Umar said that the threat of COVID-19 has not yet averted. He directed provinces and concerned officials to take steps for expediting the vaccination.

    He said that the second dose of the Covid vaccine is very important. He asked the citizens to go for the second dose of Covid vaccine that is very important to boost their immunity.

  • IHRA traces three labs ‘issuing fake vaccination certificates’

    IHRA traces three labs ‘issuing fake vaccination certificates’

    ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has traced three labs involved in issuing fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    Three labs have been stopped from working by the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) for being involved in issuing fake vaccination certificates.

    The IHRA spokesperson said in a statement that the services of 11 healthcare establishments in Islamabad. It added that two medical and dental centres have been sealed due to the lack of cleanliness.

    During the last two weeks, the IHRA officials inspected 55 health establishments besides issuing notices to 37 healthcare establishments for registration. 38 institutions have been issued directives for registration by the IHRA.

    READ: FIA ARRESTS 41 IN CRACKDOWN AGAINST FAKE COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATES

    Earlier in September, Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) had closed two labs in the fake corona vaccination certificates scandal.

    “These labs were involved in the issuance of fake corona vaccination certificates,” a spokesperson of the IHRA had said in a statement.

    “The services of Sharif and Khan labs will remain suspended till the next order of the authority,” the spokesperson had said.

    READ: NCOC DIRECTS FIA TO HUNT INDIVIDUALS PREPARING FAKE COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATES

    “The two labs have also been closed over keeping expired VTMs and tubes,” according to the spokesperson.

    “A private hospital has also been closed till further orders over keeping expired testing kits,” according to the IHRA.

    Moreover, two clinics had also been closed over keeping untrained staff, IHRA said. The regulator had also directed 33 health institutions to get registration.

    The IHRA had conducted scrutiny of 82 healthcare institutions and inspected rehabilitation centres, labs, collection points, hospitals, dental clinics and vaccination centres, the spokesperson said.

    The citizens had requested the regulatory authority to inspect 20 institutions, spokesperson said.