Tag: covid 19

  • Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic to miss US Open

    Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic to miss US Open

    Tennis player Novak Djokovic said that he will not be able to attend the US Open in New York City due to his unwillingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination.

    The twenty-one time Grand Slam champion Djokovic stated on Thursday that he will remain in “good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.”

    The final Grand Slam will begin next week.

    “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter.

    Although the US has relaxed COVID-19 regulations on a domestic level, visitors who are not US citizens or permanent residents must still be completely vaccinated before boarding a flight into the nation. In June, the United States eliminated testing requirements for overseas travellers.

    Djokovic competed at the US Open last year, reaching the men’s singles final. The virus was deemed a bigger public health danger at the time, although the US simply required testing rather than vaccination for entrance at the time.

    Djokovic sparked outrage earlier this year when his visa was revoked shortly after arriving in Melbourne to participate in the Australian Open. He already clarified that he will not take the COVID-19 vaccination, even if it meant missing out on some matches.

  • Covid-19: Three deaths in Pakistan in last 24 hours

    Covid-19: Three deaths in Pakistan in last 24 hours

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Covid-19 positivity rate in Pakistan has reached 2.48 per cent and three people have lost their lives to the deadly virus in the last 24 hours.

    In addition, 416 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Pakistan on August 21. A total of 16,764 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    According to the NIH data, 152 Covid-19 patients are in critical care.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

  • Shahbaz Gill’s health found satisfactory in initial medical check-up at PIMS

    Shahbaz Gill’s health found satisfactory in initial medical check-up at PIMS

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill was shifted to PIMS Hospital late Wednesday night after he complained of difficulty in breathing.

    According to media reports, Gill complained of difficulty in breathing and poor health due to alleged torture after which he was shifted to the jail hospital for a checkup.

    The news report further suggests that Gill’s oxygen saturation level was recorded at 97. For normal people, a pulse oximeter reading for oxygen saturation level is between 95 per cent and 100 per cent. Moreover, a sample for Covid-19 diagnostic testing was also sent to the laboratory.

    The doctors said that Gill’s health condition was found satisfactory in the initial medical examination.

    Read More: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: Islamabad court approves two-day physical remand, again

    Meanwhile, Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar said that Gill’s “life is in danger”. He had earlier confirmed that the politician’s health was fine and there was no sign of torture.

    Read More: ‘Fragile state of mental & physical health’: PTI reacts to Gill’s physical remand order

    Earlier yesterday, an Islamabad district and sessions court remanded the senior PTI leader into police custody for 48 hours in its verdict on a review plea seeking his physical remand in the sedition case.

  • Pakistan see a slight increase in Covid-19 cases

    Pakistan see a slight increase in Covid-19 cases

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Covid-19 positivity rate in Pakistan has reached 2.64 per cent.

    In addition, 352 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Pakistan on August 10. However, no deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. A total of 13,325 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    According to the NIH data, 153 Covid-19 patients are in critical care.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in June urged Pakistanis to follow Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Covid-19: Positivity rate in Pakistan jumps to 3.85%

    Covid-19: Positivity rate in Pakistan jumps to 3.85%

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Covid-19 positivity rate in Pakistan has reached 3.85 per cent.

    In addition, 806 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Pakistan on August 2 and nine people have lost their lives to the deadly virus. A total of 20,949 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    According to the NIH data, 160 Covid-19 patients are in critical care.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

    Read more- Surge in Covid-19 cases: PM urges nation to follow SOPs

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in June urged Pakistanis to follow Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Covid-19: Pakistan reports 10 deaths in the last 24 hours

    Covid-19: Pakistan reports 10 deaths in the last 24 hours

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), 10 people have lost their live to Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. It is the highest number of deaths reported in four and a half months.

    In addition, 737 cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 3.28 per cent were reported in Pakistan on July 15. A total of 22,451 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    In April, Pakistan reported zero Covid-19-related deaths for the first time since the breakout of the pandemic in the country.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on June 19 urged Pakistanis to follow Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Red alert: WHO, UNICEF say largest decline in childhood vaccinations in almost 30 years

    Red alert: WHO, UNICEF say largest decline in childhood vaccinations in almost 30 years

    The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded in official data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

    According to WHO, 18 million children did not receive a single vaccine in 2021, which is the largest decline in 29 years, due to Covid-related disruptions, emergencies and misinformation. Around 25 million children around the world missed out on routine vaccinations in 2021, which is two million more than those who missed out in 2020 and six million more than in 2019, highlighting the growing number of children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases. The percentage of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) – a marker for immunisation coverage within and across countries – fell 5 percentage points between 2019 and 2021 to 81 per cent.

    The decline was due to many factors including an increased number of children living in conflict and fragile settings, increased misinformation and Covid-related issues such as service and supply chain disruptions.

    However, Pakistan returned to pre-pandemic levels of vaccination coverage due to high-level government commitment and significant catch-up immunisation efforts. WHO and UNICEF applauded Pakistan’s efforts to achieve this in the midst of a pandemic, when healthcare systems and health workers were under significant strain.

    “This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunisation in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.

    “While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of Covid-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline. Covid-19 is not an excuse. We need immunisation catch-ups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems,” added Russell.

  • ‘Be careful, follow SOPs’, President urges nation to ‘save’ themselves from Covid during Eid holidays

    ‘Be careful, follow SOPs’, President urges nation to ‘save’ themselves from Covid during Eid holidays

    President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the nation to take Covid-19 precautionary measures during the Eid holidays.

    “Be careful during the upcoming Eid holidays. Follow SOPs and save yourself, your friends & families from sickness. Prevent what you can and let the state worry about other health issues.”

    President Alvi also shared Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), 675 cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 4.61 per cent were reported in Pakistan on July 3.

    Two deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. A total of 14,632 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday approved a five-day public holiday from July 8 to July 12 (Friday to Tuesday) on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

  • Surge in Covid-19 cases: PM urges nation to follow SOPs

    Surge in Covid-19 cases: PM urges nation to follow SOPs

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has urged Pakistanis to follow Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

    “In view of the resurgence of corona cases in the country, I urge the entire nation to follow the instructions and SOPs related to corona. Our front-line workers and doctors have made many sacrifices to keep us safe. We must not waste these gains against Corona,” tweeted PM Shehbaz.

    Earlier today, PM Shehbaz also chaired a meeting to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the country. The provincial and district governments were given orders by the premier to strictly enforce safety precautions and take additional action to control the spread of the virus.

    The government has decided to increase the number of coronavirus tests.

    Pakistan’s Covid-19 positivity rate has risen to 3.50 per cent today (Wednesday), according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

    According to NIH data, 451 people were infected with the virus and one death has been reported in the last 24 hours.

  • Mask up: Covid positivity rate jumps to 3.19%

    Mask up: Covid positivity rate jumps to 3.19%

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH),435 cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 3.19 per cent were reported in Pakistan on June 24.

    The number of confirmed cases have jumped to 1,533,482. One death was reported in the last 24 hours. A total of 13,64 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours .

    In April, Pakistan reported zero Covid-19-related deaths for the first time since the breakout of the pandemic in the country.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.