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Afghanistan facing second wave of Coronavirus: Osmani
Ahmad Javad Osmani, acting Minister of Public Health, on Wednesday warned that the country is facing its second wave in the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the number of positive tests showed a definite increase in COVID-19 cases.
Osmani, assured the public that measures were being taken by the Ministry of Public Health to control a second wave.
“The plan that has been developed to prevent the second wave of the coronavirus in cooperation with relevant institutions is currently being implemented in 34 provinces,” Osmani said.
He also said that emergency committees have been reactivated and are working to fight the pandemic.
Osmani said that according to a Cabinet decision, wedding halls will be closed and only reopened in mid-December.
Wedding halls have been hotspots in the spread of the virus where hundreds of people gather to celebrate nuptials.
Osmani also called on everyone in the country to follow health guidelines, to wear face masks, avoid crowded places and wash their hands regularly.
He also said he was concerned about the caseloads in neighboring countries and urged Afghans not to travel to Iran and Pakistan unnecessarily.
Osmani recommended the public build up their immune systems and get enough vitamin D and vitamin C – especially with the onset of winter.
His announcement followed the daily update by the Ministry of Public Health on new COVID-19 cases.
On Wednesday, the ministry said 243 new cases had been reported in the past 24 hours, along with seven deaths and 135 recoveries.
The total number is now 43,924 cases; 1,645 deaths and 35,295 recoveries across the country.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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