ISLAMABAD: Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar says Pakistan is not the only country where people want a Covid vaccine of their choice to be administered to them but every country faces a similar issue. Asad Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), said China is exporting most of the Covid vaccines in the world. Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said there is a limited number of Pfizer’s vaccine, due to which this vaccine will be administered to Hajj pilgrims, work visa holders and people travelling abroad for higher studies. The minister sa ..read more

ISLAMABAD: Four days after allowing vaccination of citizens aged 30 and above against COVID-19, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday decided to open registration for people over 18 years having computerised national identity cards (CNICs) from Thursday (today). Around 39 million people will benefit from this decision and almost 100 per cent of the population that can be vaccinated has become eligible for registration. Moreover, 2,724 people were infected by the virus and 65 died during the last 24 hours, with the national positivity rate recorded at 4.61 per cent. Anno ..read more

Ohio: A new study‘s findings dispel the misconception that patients and providers are at high risk of catching COVID-19 at the dentist’s office. SARS-CoV-2 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, and dental procedures are known to produce an abundance of aerosols — leading to fears that flying saliva during a cleaning or a restorative procedure could make the dentist’s chair a high-transmission location. Ohio State University researchers set out to determine whether saliva is the main source of the spray, collecting samples from personnel, equipment and other surfaces reached by aerosols ..read more

Hospitals across the country have reported an increase in black fungus infection, Mucormycosis amongst COVID-19 patients. “We have seen at least five cases of Mucormycosis also called, Black Fungus. It is among serious COVID-19 patients under treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the health facility. At least four patients have died due to this complication. At least two more centres have also reported Mucormycosis cases among COVID-19 patients,” as stated by a tertiary care physician in the local newspaper. -By Areeba Mahmood What is Black Fungus? Black fungus is an extremely rare but ..read more

ISLAMABAD: Inoculation against COVID-19 of people aged 30 years and above is set to start from 22 May as the National Assembly was informed that local production of the anti-coronavirus vaccine has begun. In a tweet, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), said, “In today’s (Friday) NCOC meeting it has been decided to open up vaccination for 30 years and older starting tomorrow. The messages for those who are being scheduled will go out today.” So far, 1,193,441 people have been vaccinated across the ..read more

KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi’s nephew, Mutahir Alvi has passed away from the novel coronavirus in Karachi. Mutahir Alvi was admitted a private hospital after his condition worsened from COVID-19. His wife also remains in critical condition and is admitted to a private hospital located in Clifton. The publisher, editor and the entire management of Dental News express their heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Mutahir Alvi. We pray to God Almighty Allah to give courage and fortitude to the bereaved family and enough courage to bear this irreparable loss. With prayers that he is granted ..read more

The surge of COVID profoundly impacted the spheres of life, including oral health. However, now, when humankind is progressively defending itself against the disease, dentistry plays a remarkable role in this oral health crisis. – By Dr Sumaiya Hasan The research on oral health during COVID The unwavering efforts of dental researchers have resulted in meaningful literature. It allows dental professionals around the globe to understand the oral manifestations of COVID-19 in patients visiting for dental treatment. This understanding allows them to follow the necessary protocols. It helps identif ..read more

HYDERABAD: The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) has allowed the use of oxygen to be released in the electrolysis process at the Jamshoro Power Generation Company for medical purposes, particularly for coronavirus patients. Jamshoro deputy commissioner Pariduddin Mustafa said that National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had advised him and the power generation company head Tanvir Jafri to brief the NCOC in Islamabad on Tuesday (May 18) in this regard before the NCOC took a decision for medical usage of the oxy-gen thus produced. The PCSIR Karachi office issued ..read more

Karachi: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has rejected the decision of the federal government to grant a six-day holiday on the upcoming occasion of Eid ul Fitr. In a press statement, spokesman and former PPMA chairman Dr Kaiser Waheed said that the pharmaceutical industry should not be subjected to such a prolonged closure this year based on the Eid ul Fitr holidays. He said that such a prolonged closure of the drug manufacturing units could create a crisis of medicines in the country amid a troubling third wave of coronavirus infections. He said the manufacturing ..read more

Wearing masks, social distancing, and carrying hand sanitisers has become the new normal over the past year. Many countries worldwide have been trying their best to combat COVID. However, only some were successful. Nonetheless, vaccines have become available now, which seems promising for the future. -by Areeba Mahmood Assessing the risks of COVID With vaccines came a lot of questions. Is it okay to not wear masks anymore or go to social gatherings without maintaining a safe distance? The mRNA vaccines are highly effective against the coronavirus, but there is still a slim chance of catch ..read more