105 samples collected through active surveillance of older persons, for Covid-19 testing.

Mohamed Mabrook Aziz, National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC)’s spokesperson, revealed this at Tuesday night’s Covid-19 press briefing.

Out of these, 99 samples tested negative for the virus and results of five are pending; one tested positive.

While NEOC last week revealed that active surveillance of older persons was being carried out, Dr. Nazla Rafeeq on Saturday said that they are currently working to collect samples from households with individuals over 65.

She said that at least three samples are taken from each household, including those that interact with older persons as well as individuals that go out for essentials.

Noting that older persons are at a significantly increased risk of severe disease if infected with the virus, Dr. Nazla stressed that the purpose of the active surveillance is to identify if there are any such persons infected as soon as possible and take the required actions.

She also expressed concern over the unwillingness to provide samples after claiming that they do not go out at all, and asked for all to cooperate in their efforts.

At Monday’s press briefing, Rapid Response Team member Abdul Hameed revealed that this work is being carried out after compiling a list of older persons and added that they have contacted most of those on this list.

He stressed that no one will be forced to give samples, but NEOC officials requested all to cooperate in the work.

Dr. Ibrahim Afzal had stressed that these samples are not being taken due to suspicions of being infected, rather to ensure that they are not.

While there have been four Covid-19 related deaths in the country, three of them are locals over the age of 80.