New guidelines on home isolation issued 

Islamabad: The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Monday issued new guidelines of quarantine at homes for people suffering from coronavirus symptoms.

According to the NCOC, the guidelines will be effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus and reducing the pressure on the health sector. “All those who have 37.5°C body temperature will act on these guidelines residing at their own homes,” it added. 

The NCOC officially reduced the quarantine period for Covid-19 patients from the erstwhile nine days to five days in case of no fever for 24 hours without medication.

It further mentioned that the Corona patients and those with symptoms should be quarantined for five days. The suspected patients should avoid leaving the house and keep as far away from others as possible, stay home if sick and call the doctor. Keep in touch with others by phone or email.

As per the NCOC, if there is fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, it is necessary to tell the doctor. If there is constant pain in the chest, lips or face is blue, consult a doctor. Access to medicines and supplies should be made possible for several weeks while staying at home. While those taking care of the sick should avoid unnecessary guests, and the sick person and his caregivers should use masks.

The NCOC guidelines say that the food should be provided to the Corona patient in his room. “It is better to test corona on the fifth day in case of contact with the patient. Without booster dose of vaccine, non-vaccinated and non-completion of six month of vaccine tenure persons will quarantine for 10 days. But vaccinated booster dose persons do not need quarantine on contact with the patient, however, use mask for 10 days.”

Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration sealed 62 schools and 15 hotels over violations of coronavirus related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

According to the reports, the authorities took action against the violations of SOPs in the federal capital. They sealed 62 schools and 15 hotels, while arrested eight people. 

The administration launched crackdown due to continuous rise of Omicron cases across the country.

On the other hand, the spread of COVID-19 in the country again sound the alarm, the rate of positive cases was recorded at 12.53 per cent during last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has witnessed an enormous spike in its daily tally of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) after as many as 7,195 new infections were logged in the last 24 hours, according to morning update by ministry of health.

Pakistan’s COVID positivity rate now stands at 12.53%. While, the cumulative tally of the country has now climbed to 1,374,800.  

As the fifth wave of COVID-19 intensifies in Pakistan reported 7,195 new coronavirus infections, a new daily record, with authorities linking the spike with the Omicron variant of virus.  

According to the latest figures issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 7,195 persons were tested positive while 8 died in the past 24 hours— taking Pakistan's COVID death toll to 29,097.     

As many as 1,269,078 patients have recovered from the disease.  

Punjab

The number of patients swelled to 464,431 in the province with 13,108 causalities.

Sindh

The number of infections has surged to 526,899 in the province, while the death toll has reached 7,741.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The confirmed cases have surged to 185,340 in the province with 5,975 casualties.

Balochistan

There are 33,941 confirmed cases while 367 patients have died from the infection so far.

AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan

There are 35,400 coronavirus cases in the AJK while the death toll has reached 751. On the other hand, there are 10,497 cases in GB with 187 coronavirus deaths.

Islamabad

There are 118,292 cases in the capital city while 976 people have lost their lives.