Health

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to extend the markets business timings till 10pm and for food outlets including the restaurants till 12 midnight. ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that with the increase in vaccination of people, the average positivity rate of Covid-19 pandemic has now come down to 5.9pc …

• Says NCOC working to find a way out • Pakistan among 30 nations to have given over 5m doses • Vaccination of people over 30 years begins • 88 die, over 4,000 infected in single day ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Saturday said it was a huge challenge to vaccinate those residents of …

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Sunday cited the strict implementation of coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the reason behind declining case numbers in the province, saying “we are in a very comfortable situation at the moment.” Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, she said the number of Covid-19 patients who were being discharged and sent home was …

ROME: Coronavirus vaccine producers promised billions of doses for poor countries at a G20 health summit on Friday, where leaders vowed to expand access to jabs as the only way to end the pandemic. The bosses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson announced they would supply around 3.5 billion vaccine doses at cost or discount to low- and middle-income …

OTTAWA: A Canadian ban on direct passenger flights from India and Pakistan after increased Covid-19 cases were detected in travellers arriving from these countries was extended on Friday until June 21. The measure, first announced on April 22, was set to expire on Saturday (today). “Our battle against Covid-19 continues,” Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra told a news conference. “On April 22 …

DHAKA: Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are close to running out of coronavirus vaccines, authorities said on Friday, and are hoping China and Russia will bolster their South Asia’s efforts to tackle the devastating pandemic wave. The three countries are counting on vaccine campaigns to head off the next surge. But India’s move last month to ban vaccine exports because …

ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Friday announced new timings and closing days for business and commercial activities to prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, in exercise of powers under the Epidemic Diseases Control Act 1958 and in compliance with the directions of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued …

A prove-your-identity condition may leave three million people in the country without coronavirus vaccines, including mainly unregistered refugees, jeopardising Pakistan’s fight against the pandemic. Currently, only Pakistani nationals or immigrants who have either computerised national identification cards (CNIC) or official refugee status can receive the jabs. Pakistan has so far vaccinated nearly 3 million people, a ratio well below that …

SWAT: Despite alarming situation of Covid-19 in Swat, the people of the district are hesitant to get vaccinated against the virus. According to the office of district health officer, at least 298 people have died of Covid-19 in Swat so far. However, local sources claim that more than 1,000 people have died of the pandemic in the district. After the …

ISLAMABAD: While the country reported over 4,200 cases of coronavirus on Thursday after a gap of 13 days, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) waived the age limit for vaccination of those who intend to travel abroad. On the other hand, the Pakistan Medical Associa­tion (PMA) expressed concern over the government’s decision to relax Covid-related restrictions on commercial activities, …