Covid-19 cases surge in Pakistan, mask mandate being used on domestic flights

Pakistan is presently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases, and the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also altered its mask regulations, making masks necessary for domestic flights again with immediate effect.

According to a CAA notification, all interested parties must guarantee that the new directive is followed. The remaining Covid-19 criteria on domestic air travel remained unaltered, according to the notice. For the second day in a row, Pakistan reported more than 400 coronavirus infections on Sunday. According to Pakistani media, Karachi has the highest optimism rate in the country, at 21.71 percent.

Furthermore, statistics from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that 406 Covid-19 instances had been recorded across the country in the previous 24 hours. The previous day, 435 instances were recorded, the most since March 22.

During the previous 24 hours, 14,437 tests were performed. The positive rate was 2.81 percent, and two more fatalities were reported. Furthermore, 94 patients were in critical care, up from 87 the day before.

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Dr Javed Akram, Vice Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences, told Dawn that the virus was acting like a “roller coaster.” “The country will confront similar difficulties over the next few years,” warned Dr. Akram.

According to Akram, the limits must be reinstated in order to contain the infection. He also stated that these steps will aid in the battle against the continuing energy crisis.

Dr. Javed Akram, a member of the Scientific Task Force on Covid-19, stated that as the virus mutated, people’s immunity was dropping and vaccination efficiency, which was formerly 95 percent, had dropped to roughly 80-85 percent.

Dr. Akram acknowledged that the vaccinations had lost their potency, but he insisted that they remain the only method to combat the infection. He advised individuals to be vaccinated, and those who were previously immunised to obtain booster injections.

The Vice-Chancellor also stated that Moderna vaccination supplies are limited, although a shipment came two days ago.

“People should take precautions and closely follow SOPs (standard operating procedures),” he said.

According to the media source, he also mentioned Pakistan’s energy issue while saying that mask regulations and other limitations will assist battle the illness.