Name: Pakistan records 30 times increase in testing capacity
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Pakistan records 30 times increase in testing capacity

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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementISLAMABAD: The Nat­ional Command and Opera­tion Centre (NCOC) has stated that over 14,000 tests for coronavirus were held across the country in a single day, taking the tally of tests conducted so far to around 360,000.The data was shared during a meeting of the NCOC, headed by Minister for Pla­nning Development Ref­orms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, on Saturday.Expressing satisfaction over Pakistan’s increasing testing capacity, the federal minister said that from two laboratories in mid-March to 70 labs across the country till date, the testing capacity witnessed over 30 times increase during the last two months.“The testing capacity of the country has favourably increased and over 14,000 tests have been carried out in the country which is encouraging and should be increased further,” he observed.NCOC says over 14,000 tests for coronavirus conducted in last 24 hoursInitially, Pakistan was conducting a couple of thousand tests a day by the mid of March. The capacity was later doubled and it remained so for many days. It was informed that new labs were being established to increase the number of daily tests.While the NCOC data rele­ased on Saturday show­ed that 14,878 tests were conducted in 24 hours, the capacity is likely to be enhanced further as Special Assistant to the Prime Min­ister on Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza had recently claimed that the number of daily tests would be inc­reased to 25,000 by May 31.According to international data, the US has so far conducted the highest number of tests i.e. 11.11 million tests, showing an average of 33,616 tests per million population. Spain, the second worst-hit country, has conducted over three million tests, indicating 64,977 tests per million population. The UK conducted 2.4m tests, which shows 36,697 tests per million population.However, considering its population, the United Arab Emirates attained the highest average of tests. The UAE conducted 158,068 tests per million population.India, with 2.1m tests conducted so far, attained the average of only 1,549 tests per million population, while Pakistan has surpassed the ratio by conducting 1,631 tests per million population.According to the NCOC statement, Mr Umar said that Pakistan has been quick in enhancing its capacity and capability in every policy strand whether health management system, emergency health care equipment, raising structure like National Coordi­nation Committee/NCOC, channelling resources and tapping efficient human resource and most importantly formulating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and their implementation.“Where there is a will there is a way. The people of Pakistan can’t be left on the mercy of the pandemic. We have and will move every single resource available to mitigate the challenges of common people. We will take all steps necessary for public safety and well-being of people of Pakistan,” the minister said.He denied that there was any shortage of medical equipment in the country and highlighted that it was necessary to focus on managing the trained human resource for handling the pandemic.Mr Umar said the implementation of SOPs and social distancing was only possible through public education and awareness.The NCOC was of the opinion that market associations/ traders’ organisations must ensure compliance with SOPs issued by the Ministry of National Health Services. In case of non-compliance, the particular market as a whole be closed for failing to ensure collective responsibility, it was suggested at the meeting.Punjab Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal said around 336 warning notices had already been issued to different markets and industries over the violation of SOPs, whereas it was decided that such markets and industries would be sealed on repeated violation.Minister for Interior Brig (R) Ejaz Ahmed Shah said the district administration should engage traders’ associations and local stakeholders to ensure implementation of the SOPs.The NCOC mentioned that the Ehsaas Emergency Cash relief was going to recommence on Monday where the SOPs devised for public safety should be ensured to contain the pandemic.Around Rs104 billion was distributed among eight million beneficiaries through Ehsaas Emergency Cash Relief, whereas Rs50 billion assistance package was prepared to aid 3.5 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, Rs50 billion worth agricultural relief package was launched for farmers, while Rs50 billion was also allocated for the health sector.Later while presiding over another meeting that considered the budget for the next financial year, the Minister for Planning and Development said despite the Covid-19 challenges, funds would be allocated for different projects in Karachi.It was decided to upgrade the system of the Planning Commission to improve the monitoring of development projects. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail also participated in the meeting through a video link.Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz during a media briefing said the government was pursuing a comprehensive roadmap to handle the challenge of coronavirus pandemic.He said despite the economic constraints, the government had announced a huge stimulus package of Rs1.2 trillion to provide a cushion and support to every segment of the society affected by the contagion.Senator Faraz said all the federating units had been taken along to cope with the situation arising out of the pandemic.Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2020An earlier headline of this story incorrectly stated that the testing capacity of Pakistan has increased by 30 per cent. The headline has been amended and the error is regretted.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementComments (30) ClosedIf using Chinese kits same useless data14,000 tests --- modest increase in testing capacity.It is not percentage of population to test...it is positive results to test is the correct ratio.... Pakistan is presently having highest test to positive cases ratio...very very dangerous situation.39000 covid patients out of 360000 tests. That means more than 11% of the people are covid affected. Alarming situation.1,00,000 tests per day is recommended to identify spread quickly...What about the testing quality?Conveniently missed the point that more than 10% of tested are positive.We will appreciate if people tested are presented along with results for each province.360000 tests and about 40000 positive, i.e. conversion of 10+%, which means poor testing rate...see world rate14000 tests in a day and about 1350 test +ve.It is about 10 percent which is a very high number. It shows that more n more people are infected and in coming days things may get out of control. IK has on many occasion said the same thing.Pakistan ahead of India's 1,549 tests per million. And Indian government fooled us with claims of 10 times bigger GDP than Pak. Useless GDP that failed Indian people when most needed.Great going Pakistan.Pak has 70 labs whereas India has 522 labs. So, based on requirement, India can easily increase its testing numbers.But in India 100000 test per dayTill yesterday tested number is 2400000Data can tell a different story the way you twist it.Densly populated countries like India will rank lower alwaysin test per million given their huge population base.At the same time a better metric will be % of positive cases ratio out of cumulative tests done, which for India is about 4% (90,000/21,00,000) and 11%(40,000/3,60,000) for Pakistan, which shows prevelance of infection is more in which country!It took time but slowly they are coming up to speed....Great news.@Parth, you are 100pc right.Better to compare tests per mln population by the end of this week.Also check the positives per test to know the dangerUK tested 125000 per day. With 14000 test per day, we only need 43 years to test whole population. CONGRATS TO OUR GOVERNMENT.@Parth, also in India the cases until now were confined to about 25% territory where the testing rates are from 2500 to 9000. If it spreads more then the number will go up dramatically. But I have a feeling we are addressing mathematically challengedEncouraging news...good going!This story appears inaccurate. In another paper testing was said to increase by 30% not 30 times. Two very different things. To put things in context - Pak has around 14,000 tests daily. The UK (criticised for not having enough tests) has around 100,000 with a quarter of Pakistan's population. Other countries have hundreds of thousands more (eg Germany). Can't really blame the government as Pakistan has a very low starting point with poor health serviceStill Pakistan testing is way below standerdIf pakistan increase testing pakistan cases will i crease exponentialyZero plus Zero is still ZeroIt's 30 times increase in tests then it means Pakistan was testing just 466.67 tests per day all this time.That's shameful.Pakistan has done mere 373,000 tests with 11% coming positive. If Pakistan had done tests equal to USA which is 12 million, then the number of corona virus cases in Pakistan as of today will be 1,300,000 at this rate. Quite alarming.@Parth very relevant answer. Although it might be difficult to understand for trolls.It is still no where good enough if test more then you will see more positive casesGuys, why do we introduce Ind vs Pak in each and every topic???People are suffering and here we are having a contest on who is conducting more tests or where infection rate low...Stupidity at its best! One thing is for sure both countries, infact the entire world is suffering of this virus and its never going to die till we have a vaccine. Start living with itAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement010203040506070809We need serious and public conversations about how Pakistan will cope with climate change in the future.AdvertisementWe need serious and public conversations about how Pakistan will cope with climate change in the future.Pakistan’s total external debt and liabilities have already surged to 39.7pc of the GDP or $130.2bn.THE ECP’s reasoning for postponing by-elections just days before the first few seats were to be contested has not...The pacers’ early burst put Pakistan on top but midway through the Sri Lanka innings everything started going quickly downhill.There are many precedents for the ‘minus-one formula’ and ‘technical knockout’ in Pakistan’s political history.SOCIAL hyperpolarisation, gradually becoming apparent not just in developing democracies but also in the more ...AFTER over six years since the project was launched, Karachi got its second multicoloured bus rapid transit line to...Advertisement

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementISLAMABAD: The Nat­ional Command and Opera­tion Centre (NCOC) has stated that over 14,000 tests for coronavirus were held across the country in a single day, taking the tally of tests conducted so far to around 360,000.The data was shared during a meeting of the NCOC, headed by Minister for Pla­nning Development Ref­orms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, on Saturday.Expressing satisfaction over Pakistan’s increasing testing capacity, the federal minister said that from two laboratories in mid-March to 70 labs across the country till date,...

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Ikram Junaidi

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Pakistan records 30 times increase in testing capacity

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