‘Masks block 99.9% of large virus droplets’: study
A study published in the Royal Society Open Science journal found that masks blocked 99.9% of large virus-laden droplets – the droplets measured larger than 170 microns in diameter which are roughly four times the width of a human hair. Such particles are produced when one sneezes, coughs or laughs. In a simulation, an individual standing two meters or six feet away from someone with a cough will be exposed to 10,000 times more droplets than if the sick individual is wearing a mask even if he is just a foot away.
Active cases drop below 40,000
38,268 active COVID-19 cases have been tallied, a drop in total active cases for the first time in weeks. 2,256 new infections were reported across the country on Wednesday, December 23, while a rolling positivity rate of 6.07% was recorded for the period between December 20 to 23. 1,782 managed to recover completely from the virus, raising the recovery rate to an encouraging 89.7%.
The highest number of virus fatalities for the second wave was recorded in the past 24 hours, with 111 deaths reported across the country. Punjab suffered 51 coronavirus casualties while Sindh followed with 40, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered 14, the Islamabad Capital Territory four, and Balochistan two.
17 Haripur localities under smart lockdown
The district administration, after consulting with the District Health Officer, imposed smart lockdowns in 17 localities in Haripur district. Over a hundred houses in Babu neighbourhood, Banda Mian Pirdad, Banda Munir Khan, Dhenda, Ghazi, Khalabat Township, Kund neighbourhood of Haripur City, Peeran neighbourhood, Pharhala village, Saadat neighbourhood of Mankrey village, Sera-i-Nehmat Khan, Sirya village, and Syedan Hattar neighbourhood. Some settlements in the Afghan refugee camp were also placed under smart lockdowns.
Swabi police collaborate with clerics on SOP enforcement
Swabi DPO Imran Shahid in a meeting with local clerics and prayer leaders urged them to take the initiative in implementing coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOP) to control the spread of the virus. He encouraged them to observe all health guidelines during congregational prayers and when interacting with students in madrasas.