PM directs NDMA to ensure medicines' supply.

Islamabad -- The National Command and Operations Centre on Monday identified 20 cities across Pakistan with potential Covid-19 hotspots using a strategy termed as 'testing, tracing and quarantining.'

The 'testing, tracing and quarantining strategy involves ramping up Covid-19 testing followed by rapidly tracing the contacts of confirmed positive cases, and effective quarantining of positive and suspected cases.

The 20 cities identified by the National Command and Operations Centre for the enforcement of 'necessary restrictive measures' include Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranawala, Swat, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sialkot,Gujarat, Ghotki, Larkana, Khairpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Malakand and Mardan.

The NCOC's strategy of 'testing, tracing and quarantining was formulated to keep the spread of the novel coronavirus in check as different sectors of the economy were allowed to reopen, according to press release issued by the centre.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan taking notice of the shortage of medicines and injections for Covid-19 patients has directed the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority to ensure their availability and easy access.

Chairing a review meeting on situation of coronavirus here on Monday, the prime minister said proper treatment and following of standard operating procedures could help control the spread of the disease.

Premier Khan expressed satisfaction over the availability of protective gear and Personal Protective Kits as per requirement in fighting coronavirus.

As the government took necessary measures to control the pandemic, he...