The National Command and Operation Centre on Thursday suggested installation of more oxygen plants in various parts of the country with special focus on far-flung areas facing logistical issues, reported Dawn.

This suggestion was made by the body through a statement against the background of the spread of the Covid variant Omicron around the world.

Quoting the statement, the report said the forum discussed epidemic curve chart data, national vaccine strategy and disease prevalence across the country and asked provinces to speed up the vaccination process in the wake of the rising cases of Omicron variant. It said vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of new Covid-19 variant.

“The forum also discussed the current status of oxygen production and distribution process across the country and suggested installation of oxygen plants in various parts of the country with special focus on far-flung areas which have logistical issues,” read the statement.

During the meeting, the forum was briefed on the Covid positivity ratio, disease prevalence and the number of deaths and new admissions.

“The forum discussed in detail the city-wise Covid-19 vaccination process across the country and agreed to take strict measures about obligatory vaccination regime.

“District-wise vaccination targets were also reviewed and it was noted by the forum that all-out efforts are being made to engage the provinces to achieve the vaccination targets set. The forum also discussed the total number of vaccine administration, procurement and the remaining stock of vaccine doses,” it stated.

According to the NCOC data, 391 people tested positive for Covid in the last 24 hours, while eight people succumbed to the virus. The coronavirus positivity rate was 0.84% on Thursday.

Currently, 895 people infected with the virus are on critical care, as per the NCOC data.

Urging people to get themselves vaccinated, the NCOC on Thursday tweeted at least 33 per cent of Pakistan’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated.