The Sindh government has issued an alert to its citizens urging them to take necessary precautions against COVID-19 variants and adhere to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines during the upcoming Eid ul Fitr festivities. The Health and Population Welfare Department of Sindh has taken to Twitter to convey the message and emphasized the importance of receiving booster vaccinations to strengthen immunity against the virus.
The department has highlighted the potential risks associated with increased human interaction during the festive holiday and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. The government has issued a notification listing all government-run hospitals administering booster doses of Pfizer at Adults Vaccination Centres across the province’s 24 districts, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Matiari, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Dadu, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Sukkar, and others.
The department has urged the public to follow pandemic SOPs with complete adherence, maintaining social distance, and wearing masks in all public and crowded areas, including shopping areas. Larger Eid gatherings should be avoided, and hands should be regularly washed with soap to prevent the spread of the virus. The department has advised those experiencing symptoms related to flu, cough, or difficulty in breathing to visit the nearest government hospital for due management and free of cost COVID-19 testing.
The department has also stated that individuals who received their last COVID-19 vaccination dose 6 to 12 months ago are eligible and advised to get their follow-up vaccination dose at any of DoH’s established vaccination centres to enhance immunity against the virus. The elderly and individuals with co-morbidities are especially advised to get inoculated at home by calling immunisation teams.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health in Islamabad has released the National Command and Operation Centre’s COVID-19 statistics for April 21, reporting 20 positive cases in the last 24 hours. A total of 3,377 COVID-19 tests have been conducted, while the positivity percentage remains 0.59%. At least 14 patients have been reported to be in critical care, with no deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.
In conclusion, the Sindh government’s alert is a timely reminder for citizens to follow COVID-19 guidelines and take necessary precautions during the upcoming Eid ul Fitr festivities. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants and increased human interaction during the holiday necessitates a cautious approach to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens. Vaccination remains the most effective means to enhance immunity against the virus, and citizens are advised to receive booster doses to strengthen their immunity against the virus.
