ISLAMABAD: As the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 4,455 new cases and 68 deaths due to coronavirus in a single day, the centre celebrated the 500th day of its establishment on Sunday.

In a related development, two million more doses of Covid-19 vaccine reached Pakistan from China.

“Today marks the 500th day of NCOC establishment. A documentary named Unified Endeavour portraying the unity displayed by the nation against Covid-19 pandemic has been launched today,” said an NCOC tweet.

The director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, also tweeted a message of Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to mark the day.

“The NCOC has remained pivotal to Pakistan’s riposte against Covid-19. It symbolises optimised national response in adversity, saving precious lives. Accolades for the NCOC team on completing 500 days of continuous struggle & delivery,” said the message of the COAS.

Govt celebrates 500 days of NCOC establishment

Similarly, federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while congratulating the NCOC over completion of 500 days since its establishment, said that the organisation took vital decisions considering scientific and ground realities in the country.

“According to vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and guideline of the NCOC, the government introduced the policy of smart lockdowns which supported labour class and daily wagers. There would have been drastic implications of going for the complete lockdown,” he said.

The minister said that it was due to NCOC that Pakistan had effectively dealt with the fourth wave of Covid-19 and the positivity rate of cases was much lower than neighbouring countries.

He said the entire world had praised the policy of smart lockdowns introduced by the Pakistan government because the country not only fought the pandemic but also protected its economy under the policy.

Mr Chaudhry dedicated the “success story” to NCOC and congratulated the entire team at the centre.

Meanwhile, two million more doses of Covid-19 vaccine reached the country on Saturday and Sunday from China.

The data of the NCOC showed that as many as 68 deaths and 4,455 cases with a positivity rate of 8.09pc were reported on Sunday.

The data showed that while less than 50pc ventilators were in use across the country, the situation of oxygen beds was a bit serious as 68pc beds were in use in Hyderabad, 62pc in Karachi and a little over 50pc beds were occupied in Abbottabad and Skardu. The number of active cases of Covid-19 was 82,076 on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021