ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday recorded the highest COVID-19 positivity ratio in five months, government data showed, as a new viral wave is sweeping the country.
The South Asian nation has had very few COVID-19 cases in recent months and lifted almost all restrictions. But it has seen a spike in infections in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, it recorded a daily coronavirus positivity ratio of 5.46 percent with 255 new positive cases and one death in the last 24 hours. At least 141 patients are currently in critical care at hospitals across the country.
The last time Pakistan recorded such a high positivity ratio — 5.55% — was on Feb. 17.
Health officials have warned of the risk of a sixth COVID-19 wave as the rate of infections was increasing again.
Muazzam Abbas Ranjha, a biostatistician at the National Institute of Health, told Arab News last week that the risk of the new wave “prevails” in Pakistan, “but we are not there yet.”
“As per our disease management policy, we will issue a high alert for the public only if the daily positivity reaches 10 percent,” he said.
The National Command and Operation Center, Pakistan’s pandemic response body on July 5 issued new guidelines for Eid Al-Adha holidays — observed this year on July 8-12.
The period is a time when people traditionally travel to their homes, tourist destinations, and gather for mass prayers and celebrations with friends and relatives.
“Eid UI Adha prayers should be organized in open spaces under stringent COVID protocols. In case of any compulsion to offer the prayers inside mosques, then all windows and doors should be kept open for ventilation / to minimize the chances of disease spread,” the NCOC said in a statement.
“All ulemas leading Eid prayers should be sensitised to keep sermons ... short so that people remain present in the prayer venues for a brief duration,” the guidelines said. “Efforts should be made to discourage sick, elderly and young children from attending Eid prayers.”
People without face masks should not be allowed to enter prayer venues, the NCOC said, adding that prayer venues should have multiple entry and exit points and venue organizers should ensure the availability of hand sanitizers.