ISLAMABAD:National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday reported only 25 new coronavirus cases in the federal capital during the last 24 hours, making it the lowest single-day tally in the last six months.
With the new cases, the total number of infections in the federal capital reached 82,278 of which 80,289 people of all those infected have recovered so far, according to the official data by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
As per NCOC data, as many as 46 cases were reported on Thursday while 37 cases were reported on Wednesday. The single-day fatalities from the virus have also declined in the capital in the past few weeks, with no death reported in the last three days while the city documented 773 deaths so far.
According to an official of the Ministry of National Health Services, the government was making sincere efforts to ensure the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at all vaccination centers and so far 20 million citizens have been vaccinated as the government has secured sufficient doses in the month of June to ramp up the vaccination drive in the country of 220 million.
He said that there has been hearsay that vaccine doses are short in the country and added that it is a global phenomenon and a shortage of vaccine is the world over the issue. He said that the vaccine situation will improve after June 20 when more vaccines will reach Pakistan.
He said that the government is in contact with local and provincial administrations to make up the shortfall. “We have locally made load balancing and redistribution to manage the situation across the country.”
He said “We have two million doses available and vaccination will continue to protect citizens from carrying Coronavirus. He made it clear that there is no harm if the second dose of vaccine is delayed with the duration of six to eight weeks instead of a routine three to four-week duration.
He advised citizens to strictly follow COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) in offices and markets to prevent the disease. “COVID-19 is a deadly virus, but we can control it just as we controlled it by following the SoPs during the first and second waves.”
He said that the government is seeking full cooperation in adhering to the SoPs. “We can save precious lives, including those of our near and dear ones by taking preventive measures. Wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash hands with soap frequently and avoid crowded places.”