KP bans indoor dining as cases climb
Following Islamabad and Punjab, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday, December 3, imposed a province-wide ban on indoor dining at restaurants and hotels, as well as a ban on jail visitations. Following the announcement, administrators, police and magistrates sealed eateries found to be violating orders. Takeaway services, however, have been allowed to continue.
COVID-19 vaccine trial sample increased
The Government of Pakistan has decided to increase the sample size for an in-trial vaccine developed by Chinese firm CanSineBIO from 10,000 to 18,000. Volunteers between the age of 18 and 60 are being administered the potential COVID-19 drug and monitored for the development of anti-bodies. In Pakistan, so far over 9,000 volunteers have received the drug.
According to the Ministry of National Health Sciences, the decision to accelerate the trial and learn of the drug’s efficacy was taken in light of the need to acquire a vaccine at the earliest possible. While $150 million has been allocated for vaccine procurement, no advance orders have been placed as it remains to be seen which vaccine will be available in the market.
PIMS closes OPDs amidst virus fears
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad shut down the outpatient departments (OPDs) of its children and gynaecology wards, following the closure of the hospital’s central OPD as infections some days prior, as infections surge amidst the ongoing second wave. However, emergency services will continue while the situation prevails.
7 succumb to virus in Nishtar Hospital
Seven people, including a woman, succumbed to the novel coronavirus disease in Nishtar Hospital in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll in Multan to 288. 64 COVID-19 patients are currently admitted to the hospital for treatment, of whom 20 are in critical condition and four are on ventilator. Of the patients that lost their life to the virus, four were from Multan, two from Dera Ismail Khan while the female patient hailed from Kot Addu. Two patients were less than 50 years in age, with the youngest casualty being 30 years old and the oldest confirmed to be 69 years old.
