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Health ministry warns of spike in COVID over Eid if nation ignores health protocols
Wahid Majrooh the acting health minister said that with the arrival of Eid al-Adha, the number of positive cases of corona virus will increase in the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Majrooh urge the citizens of the country to refrain from traveling, shaking hands and attending crowded places during Eid.
“The coronavirus in the country is still on the rise and people should listen to the ministry’s recommendations,” Majrooh said.
Majrooh warned the public to “be careful during the Eid days,” adding that “currently our hospitals are 50 to 85 percent filled with patients.”
He warns that if people continue to travel over Eid, COVID will spread, which will lead to more deaths.
“Considering the positive cases and deaths caused by the coronavirus in the country, the people themselves should decide not to travel on Eid days and not to cause a crisis in the country,” Majrooh added.
Majrooh also said that a shortage of oxygen is still a challenge for the ministry.
“We will not be able to provide oxygenated for dozens of other patients if the people do not cooperate and consider the health guidance,” Majrooh said.
Meanwhile Majrooh said that “We will receive new supplies of the vaccine after Eid.”
The Ministry of Public Health on Saturday reported 378 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,759 samples tested in the last 24 hours.
The ministry also reported 49 deaths and 649 recoveries from COVID-19 in the same period.
Data by the Public Health Ministry shows that the total number of cases is 140,602, total deaths stand at 6,147 and total recoveries are at 87,612.
The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world stands at 189,570,978 and total deaths are 4,076,356 figures by Johns Hopkins University show.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), left for Baku on Friday at the head of an official delegation to participate in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), a major international gathering focused on sustainable urban development and environmental challenges.
The forum, organized by UN-Habitat, is scheduled to take place from May 17 to 22 in the Azerbaijani capital under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
According to Afghan officials, the delegation will participate in a series of technical meetings and discussions on climate change, environmental protection in urban areas, sustainable development, waste management, green cities, air pollution control and strengthening urban resilience.
The World Urban Forum is regarded as one of the world’s leading platforms on urbanization and environmental policy, bringing together government officials, mayors, international organizations, climate experts and development institutions from across the globe.
On the sidelines of the event, Khalis and accompanying officials are also expected to meet with representatives of international organizations, donor agencies and foreign governments to discuss environmental cooperation, technical support and future joint initiatives.
Afghanistan’s environmental authority described participation in the forum as an important opportunity to expand international engagement, exchange experiences and seek practical solutions to the country’s growing environmental and urban challenges.
The visit comes as Afghanistan faces increasing concerns over climate-related risks, rapid urbanization, air pollution and environmental degradation, issues that officials say require broader regional and international cooperation.
Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that Afghanistan remains a major focus for Washington in terms of terrorist activity and regional security threats.
Speaking during a hearing before lawmakers, Cooper said Afghanistan continues to be “on the forefront” of U.S. monitoring efforts regarding militant groups.
“Afghanistan remains on the forefront of what we are watching in terms of terrorist activity,” he told the committee.
The CENTCOM commander added that the United States is working closely with regional partners to contain and suppress potential threats emerging from Afghanistan.
The remarks come as U.S. officials continue to express concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces from the country in 2021.
The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, emphasizing that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), met on Thursday with Johannes Bruwer, the newly appointed head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and received a copy of his credentials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting, Muttaqi described relations between Afghanistan and the ICRC as historic, congratulated Bruwer on the start of his mission in Afghanistan, wished him success, and assured him of full cooperation in advancing humanitarian efforts.
Muttaqi also praised the services of Katharina Ritz, the outgoing head of the organization, and commended the activities carried out during her mission in Afghanistan. He also wished her success in her future responsibilities.
For his part, Bruwer expressed pleasure over the beginning of his mission in Afghanistan and pledged to continue providing humanitarian services in close coordination with the relevant institutions of the Islamic Emirate during his tenure.
Meanwhile, Ritz thanked the institutions of the Islamic Emirate for their cooperation and support throughout her mission and described her tenure as full of achievements and positive memories.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation in humanitarian affairs and the strengthening of mutual engagement.
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