72pc virus victims are of over 50 years, says Mirza.

ISLAMABAD -- The federal government on Sunday asked the masses to take care of middle-aged and older people, as most patients who could not win the battle against coronavirus were over 50 years of age.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza while addressing a news conference said: `As many as 72 per cent victims (2,500) of the virus, who could not survive, were over 50 years old. Of which over 70pc were suffering from blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.

Also vulnerable to the contagion were those suffering from cancer, lungs or kidney problems, he added.

During the past 24 hours, 121 patients of coronavirus died while 4,916 more contracted the highly contagious disease, taking the death toll of Covid-19 patients across the country to 3,557 and the overall number of cases to 179,592.The PM`s aide appealed to the masses to ensure that elderly people avoid unnecessary movement, particularly public transport, and visiting crowded places. He said: `If a senior citizen gets sick, he/she should be shifted to an isolated room.Bed, table, floor and room should be frequently cleaned as sick people are more vulnerable to the virus.

Moreover, senior citizens should wear masks to reduce chances of contracting the disease.

Dr Mriza also highlighted the need for giving timely medicine to senior citizens.

`If a senior citizen gets sick, the attendant should also wear mask. Moreover, there is need to boost senior citizens psychologically, as mental support is also very important,` he said.

Explaining the five basic precautionary measures to avoid the virus, he said people should wear face masks, keep social distancing, wash hands frequently, take extra precautionary measures for senior citizens and isolate them if they fall ill.

Strict action would be taken against the people who were found without face masks at crowded places, declared Special Assistant to the PM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar while visiting different areas of the federal capital.

The PM`s aide then distributed masks among citizens and said a grand operation would be launched within 48 hours against the violation of standard operating procedure (SOP). He declared that violators would be sent to jail.

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