The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the country's nerve center for unified efforts against coronavirus, will hold an important meeting today (Monday) to decide on the future course of action as the positivity ratio exceeds 8% amid the third wave of coronavirus.

The NCOC, in the meeting, is expected to decide on imposing smart lockdowns in more areas across the country. Amid reports of violations of the government's coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in most of the schools where examinations were being conducted, the meeting will also consider the closure of schools.

Moreover, a proposal to impose Section 188 in Islamabad would also be discussed. Section 188 will give authorities the power to arrest shopkeepers who do not comply with the coronavirus safety measures.

The meeting will take place as the country is experiencing the third-wave of COVID-19, a novel disease caused by coronavirus. The third wave is said to be more dangerous and lethal by the health authorities. NCOC chief and federal minister Asad Umar took to Twitter to warn the masses against the new strain.

"Sharp spike in covid positivity. Hospital daily admissions & people in critical care rising fast. If SOP compliance does not improve, we will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities. Please be very very careful. The new strain spreads faster and is more deadly."

Positivity ratio in Pakistan exceeds 8%:

Pakistan on Monday has reported 3,669 new cases against 43,498 tests in 24 hours. As per the ministry of national health service, the current positivity rate is 8%.