Tag: Covid Positive

  • Asad Umar warns complete lockdown in major cities if SOPs not followed

    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umair has warned that a complete lockdown in major cities of the country could be imposed if the public does not strictly follow COVID-19 SOPs.

    Addressing the media after chairing a session of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Umar hinted at the possibility of shutting down major cities of the country amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

    “Further restrictions will need to be imposed,” said Umar. “Let me make it clear, the level at which the virus is spreading and our hospitals are filling up, if we don’t act now, we will have no choice but to close down major cities.”

    “Presently, the number of patients on oxygen is more than 4,500 which is 30% more than than the first wave of the virus,” stressed Umar, adding: “Health facilities are under stress due to increasing number of positive cases which have now crossed 83,000.”

    Reiterating his warning, Umar said: “This is the last chance to follow SOPs and curb the spread of the virus otherwise we will not have any other choice but to close big cities.”

    Umar also said that the government has prepared a new set of guidelines and shared them with the provincial governments. They will be announced on Friday, April 23.

    Pakistan started the COVID-19 vaccination drive of people in the age group 50-59 today (April 21). Registrations for those 50 and above commenced on March 30. Those who haven’t registered can send their CNIC number to 1166 to register or can register online.

    Pakistan is experiencing the third wave of coronavirus with the situation worse than it was during the first wave. According to the NCOC, 5499 new cases and148 deaths were recorded in the country in the last 24 hours.

  • Jawad Ahmad unsure of survival after contracting coronavirus again

    Five months after testing positive for COVID-19 for the first time, Jawad Ahmad has tested positive for the virus again.

    Sharing the news on social media, Ahmad said: “I contracted COVID again. Don’t know if I’ll survive or not.”

    The singer-turned-politician further said: “Yes, I’ve enough money for its treatment if it gets worse, but truth is that it is no more fun to just keep living in this world full of poverty, helplessness and deprivation.”

    “One needs to change it before going to heaven,” added Jawad.

    Ahmad, who entered politics a few years ago with the Barabri Party Pakistan is very vocal about the rights of marginalized groups.

    The vision of his party is “to establish a truly democratic state based on equitable distribution of wealth, equality of right over resources so that whatever is found, grown and produced in this country is equally accessible to all and equal access to opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender, and ethnicity.”

  • Wasim Akram sends best wishes to Sachin Tendulkar

    Wasim Akram sends best wishes to Sachin Tendulkar

    Former Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team Wasim Akram has extended his best wishes to Sachin Tendulkar after he was hospitalised for COVID-19.

    “Even when you were 16, you battled [the] world’s best bowlers with guts and aplomb,” said Akram wishing his former rival well. “So I am sure you will hit Covid-19 for a SIX!”

    “Recover soon master! Would be great if you celebrate India’s World Cup 2011 anniversary with doctors and hospital staff…do send me a pic,” he added.

    Sachin shared that he was hospitalised on Friday, April 2 as a precautionary measure after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He had previously been isolating at home, but medical professionals advised him to get admitted into a hospital.

    Shahid Afrdi also wished Tendulkar a swift recovery, saying: “Wishing you a speedy recovery Legend . No doubt that you will make a strong recovery.May your hospital stay be short and your recovery even shorter!“

    Earlier, Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar also posted a picture with Tendulkar and wished for his speedy recovery.

  • COVID-19: Walk-in vaccination for seniors aged 70 and above begins

    Walk-in vaccination for seniors aged 70 and above will be available in Pakistan from today.

    According to the National Command Operation Center (NCOC) registered senior citizens aged 70 and above can get vaccinated from any health centre. However, the walk-in corona vaccination facility will only be available for registered senior citizens.

    Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid has urged all citizens to register themselves before heading to the facility to avoid inconvenience.

    Vaccination of people over 60 years and above commenced on March 10. Among those who received their shot is President Arif Alvi and Samina Peerzada, who also praised the government for the facility.

    Meanwhile, 2511, people tested positive in last 24 hours in Pakistan and the positivity rate has jumped to 7.21 %. Whereas, 58 people have lost their lives to the virus.

    Amid the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, various corona related restrictions have been re-imposed in different cities of country. The Sindh Government has imposed smart lockdown across the province until April 15 to fight against the third wave. The Punjab Government has also issued a notice and urged people to follow strict SOPs in the province.

    Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin has also said that administrative officers and police staff will be vaccinated in the next phase.

  • ‘When in doubt…breathe,’ advises Mawra Hocane

    To say that the last year has been a roller coaster would be an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in some way or another.

    Mawra Hocane recently opened up on how the pandemic affected her fitness routine and advised all her followers to breathe when in doubt.

    Read more – Mawra Hocane says she is no longer embarrassed by her anxiety

    Sharing a picture of herself doing yoga, Mawra said: “I was majorly a gym person up until COVID happened.”

    “Today marks a year of me training at home all by myself, with little help from friends and YouTube, as much as I feel comfortable and when I feel the need for it,” shared Mawra.

    “Let’s all aspire to be our healthier versions, always,” said the actor further, adding: “When in doubt…breathe.”

    Last year, Mawra was criticised on social media for being too skinny, when she posted a picture of herself with the caption “Losing all of my weight and all of my mind.” Mawra later deleted that post.

  • Colleagues pray for Fawad Ahmed’s speedy recovery

    Colleagues pray for Fawad Ahmed’s speedy recovery

    Monday’s match between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators was postponed after Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed from United’s squad tested positive for coronavirus. While PCB clarified that the coronavirus test results of players from both squads came back negative, the match was postponed to “ensure players from both sides get time to prepare for the game.”

    Following the announcement, Ahmed requested everyone to remember him in their prayers and thanked them for their kind messages.

    Many colleagues, fans and noted people wished the Australian player a quick recover. Those who extended their prayers included Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Mahmood, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Nabi, Junaid Khan, Dr Nauman Niaz, Bilal Asif, Sawera Pasha, Muhammad Nawaz, Amir Yamin, Ahmed Shehzad, Sherfane Rutherford, Sandeep Lamichhane, Zafar Gohar and actor Asad Siddiqui.

    Meanwhile, after Fawad’s test came back positive, all other players were asked to remain at the hotel as their rapid coronavirus tests were conducted.

    In response to the development, Islamabad United confirmed that one of their players had tested positive, while all others players have been cleared to play.

    The team management clarified that “Fawad did not breach any Covid Protocols”. According to the PCB’s protocol, Ahmed will remain in isolation until he returns with two negative results in 10 days time.

  • Islamabad vs Quetta match delayed after player tests positive

    Islamabad vs Quetta match delayed after player tests positive

    Monday night’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Islamabad United (IU) and Quetta Gladiators (QG) has been delayed after legspinner Fawad Ahmed tested positive for COVID-19.

    Ahmed had reportedly shown symptoms two days ago and had been immediately isolated, his franchise Islamabad United said in an official statement. Other members of Islamabad United have returned negative tests while the Quetta Gladiators players are being tested.

    In an announcement, PCB said: “A player from one of the sides featuring in this evening’s match has tested positive. The player had shown symptoms two days ago and had been immediately isolated.”

    “Members of his side have tested negative while the players of the other side are being tested,” the tweet added.

    PCB also later confirmed the match will start after some delay at ‘9 pm’.

    Later, the official account PSL and IU also tweeted and confirmed the news, writing: “One of our players, Fawad Ahmed tested positive for Covid and was immediately put in isolation 2 days ago. All other Islamabad United players & members have tested negative & have been cleared to play.”

    “We wish Fawad a speedy recovery. Sherus are ready to roar tonight,” the tweet added.

    The game, which scheduled to begin at 7 pm local time, has been pushed back to 9 pm.

    Fawad also took to Twitter and wrote: “Thanks for all the kind messages, please keep remember me in ur prayers, much needed raising hands IU and PSL, and please everyone stay safe.”

    PCB later announced that the match is rescheduled for Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm. The match is rescheduled to ensure players from both sides get time to prepare for the game.

    The good news for the spectators who bought the tickets for tonight is that their tickets will be valid for tomorrow’s game as well.

  • Ahmed Ali Butt recounts harrowing experience with COVID-19 in a foreign country

    Ahmed Ali Butt has opened up and shared his struggle with COVID-19 while being stranded in a foreign country.

    “I have been in quarantine for a better two weeks of my life after getting covid +ve, in a country not my own and with people who didn’t understand me,” shared Butt in an Instagram story. “This has been the most isolated and challenging experience of my life as I didn’t have anyone. With Allah’s blessing, I had decent living and eating arrangements.”

    The actor further said: “The isolation was something that I wasn’t prepared for at all. Your mind has the tendency to be your best friend and your worst enemy and mine had a field day with me. These were not the best days I would like to remember from any part of my life,” adding that he wouldn’t wish this experience upon anyone.

    Butt then went on to say that the isolation and experience with COVID taught him to be grateful for his wife and family who helped him recover.

    “I am back in my country and with my wife and son and recovering. Thank you to all the people who found out and stayed in touch during my madness. It means a lot,” concluded the actor.

    Butt did not reveal in which country he was stranded.

    Meanwhile, Ahmed has a string of projects lined up. He was recently in the news for his international film debut, Phatte Dinde Chakk Punjabi for which he was shooting in the United Kingdom.

    According to details, the film is a comedy-drama directed by Smeep Kang and produced by Gippy Grewal. Other members of the cast include famous Punjabi movie stars Grewal, Neeru Bajwa and Anu Kapoor.

  • Ali Rehman Khan tests positive for coronavirus

    Ali Rehman Khan tests positive for coronavirus

    Ali Rehman Khan has tested positive for COVID-19, “despite being super careful and taking all precautions”.

    The actor, in an Instagram post, shared the news and requested everyone to keep him in his prayers.

    Earlier, Sana Mir also tested positive for the virus.

  • Sana Mir tests positive for coronavirus

    Former Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir has announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

    In a tweet, Mir shared that she only has mild symptoms for now and has isolated herself.

    Meanwhile, ESPN Cricinfo has reported that Mir was part of the commentary panel for the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and after testing positive for coronavirus she was removed from the panel and is currently isolating at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi.

    Her fellow commentators, including Bazid Khan, Tariq Saeed, Ali Younis, Sikandar Bakhat and presenter Sawera Pasha also underwent coronavirus tests. A decision to isolate them will be made after their results will come.

    As per the report, Sana started showing symptoms on the day three of the final of Quaid-e-Azam trophy which started on Friday.

    Read more – PTI’s Faisal Javed Khan rubbishes Mohammad Asif’s claims of interference in players’ selection process

    Sana, who announced retirement from international cricket in April 2020, is also celebrating her birthday today. The cricketer has played 226 international matches for Pakistan, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017.

    https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1346333135118757891