NCOC identified 20 cities having potential COVID-19 hotspots in Pakistan

All the major cities including Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad are hotspots 

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) have identified 20 cities across Pakistan on Monday for having potential Covid-19 hotspots and clusters. The cites which have been identified by the NCOC for necessary restrictive measures for the coronavirus containment are Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Swat, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sialkot, Gujarat, Ghotki,  Larkana, Khairpur, Dera Ghazi Khan  Malakand and Mardan.

NCOC has informed the media  through  a press release that it undertook a comprehensive review of the prospective Covid-19 clusters through its test, track and quarantine (TTQ) strategy, in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directives to contain the virus spread through a ‘smart lockdown’. The NCOC has claimed to have shared the information with the provinces as well.

According to the press release, “in Islamabad, G-9/2 and G-9/3 had more than 300 cases and were sealed along with Karachi Company.” Hotpots that are now being monitored in the city and might be sealed include I-8, I-10, Ghauri Town, Bhara Kahu, G6 & G7.

The TTQ method is aimed at identifying the spread of the disease by focusing on clusters (hotspots) to enable targeted lockdowns and need-driven resource optimisation at all levels. “The TTQ strategy has been formulated to keep the spread of the disease in check while different sectors open up. It involves ramping up testing, rapidly tracing the contacts of confirmed positive cases, and effective quarantining of positive and suspected cases.” the press release further stated.

The NCOC was briefed in detail about the operationalisation of additional oxygenated beds and ventilators including procurement of critical healthcare equipment by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as announced by the prime minister.

“A total of 2,150 additional oxygenated beds will be functional by end of July to meet the additional requirement. 1,000 oxygenated beds were said to be functional by the end of June, and another 1,150 oxygenated beds by the end of July.”

                                                             Health correspondent