ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has asked people to be careful as the new strain of COVID-19 spreads faster and is more deadly.
In a tweet, the federal minister said hospital daily admissions and people in critical care are rising fast. He said if SOP compliance does not improve then the government will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities.
Sharp spike in covid positivity. Hospital daily admissions & people in critical care rising fast. If sop compliance does not improve, we will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities. Please be very very careful. The new strain spreads faster and is more deadly.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 18, 2021
Pakistan has reported 3,495 new COVID-19 cases and 61 deaths across the country over last 24 hours. The country’s death toll climbed to 13,717 while the total number of cases has reached 615,810. Meanwhile, 1,634 patients recovered from the deadly disease in a day taking total recoveries to 577,501.
Asad Umar, who heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), said that Pakistan recorded “the highest daily vaccination rate” as more than 41,000 people were inoculated against the novel coronavirus the other day.
“Highest daily vaccination rate of over 41 thousand vaccinations achieved yesterday. Of these 28, 424 vaccinations were carried out of senior citizens,” said Umar.
He urged people aged 70 and above to get themselves registered for the vaccination. The mass vaccination centres have been established in 15 cities.
As the country witnesses the third wave of the deadly virus, provincial governments have issued new coronavirus rules. Several cities have been placed under lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.
