PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has expressed concern over upsurge of Covid-19 cases, especially in Chitral, Hazara and Dir, and has asked the relevant departments to put in place elaborate measures to cope with the second wave of the pandemic already started in the province.

Presiding over a meeting of the provincial task force on Covid-19 here on Wednesday, he directed the health secretary to immediately visit Chitral and take stock of the situation with regard to preparations against coronavirus, according to a statement.

Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, Special Assistant to CM on Information Kamran Khan Bangash, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Noman Mahmood, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and Inspector General of Police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi attended the meeting wherein the latest situation about the second wave of coronavirus across the province was reviewed.

The meeting discussed arrangements and preparations made by the departments concerned to contain the possible outbreak of the virus and the existing capacity of hospitals to deal with any emergency situation.

It was informed that second wave of corona virus had started in the province and increasing number of positive cases was being reported from Upper and Lower Chitral districts and Hazara division. New cases of coronavirus are being reported in educational institutions.

Meeting discusses option of early winter vacations in educational institutions

The meeting also discussed the option of early winter vacations in educational institutions, especially in winter zones, to contain the possible spread of the virus. The forum directed the education department to work out the matter and come up with feasible proposals for any decision to that effect.

In the light of the decisions of National Command and Operation Centre, it was decided to ensure strict implementation of wearing face mask at public places, closure of amusement parks at 6pm and wedding halls, restaurants and markets at 10pm.

The health department was directed to identify hotspots across the province and communicate the same to the district administrations for implementing smart lockdown strategy to contain the pandemic. The meeting stressed the need for creating public awareness to contain the possible outbreak of Covid-19.

The meeting directed the information department to chalk out a media plan for a mass scale public awareness campaign through all the mediums of mass communication. The health department was also directed to take necessary steps well in time to ensure availability of testing kits and personal protective equipment in all the hospitals The meeting was informed that number of active cases across the province was 804, whereas district with highest number of active cases per million people included Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Peshawar.

About the testing capacity, it was told that at present the overall testing capacity was 4,000 tests per day that could be increased if and when required.

The forum agreed to take all the required steps keeping in view the peculiar context of the province to keep people safe from the virus.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2020