The number of COVID -19 cases in Pakistan may touch the alarming level of 1.2 million by the end of July, warned Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Sunday.
The number of coronavirus positive patients in Pakistan is currently at the level of 141517 with 2647 deaths. The first coronavirus case was identified in the port city of Karachi on February 26.
Socioeconomic conditions and lax government response has been blamed by critics as major factors causing spread of the disease. Pakistani society has been divided on the extent of challenge. Religious groups pressured Pakistan’s governments to keep mosques open for Ramazan prayers a few weeks ago.
The provincial governments made their own decision and medical experts have pointed a lack of coordination between the federal government and the provinces – along with poverty and compulsions of daily wage earners – as pushing the country into a bleak situation.
“These circumstances can be avoided if the government and the people work together to stop the virus from spreading,” Asad Umar told a news conference in capital Islamabad.
Saying the situation could still be averted, Umar urged the people to “get serious” and highlighted that preventive measures, including wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.
“Research [around the world] has indicated that wearing masks is a verified way of curbing the spread of Covid-19 — by up to 50 per cent,” he said, adding that the National Command and Operation Centre [NCOC] had recommended that face masks be worn by everyone at public places.
“We are seeing many people wearing masks but sadly we have seen many more not wearing one. If you want to defend yourself and your loved ones, please wear masks. It is as simple as that,” he added.
Umar revealed thatthe government would start taking administrative action against those who do not follow the prescribed measures. He added that shops, transport and individuals have been fined for following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Reiterating PM Imran Khan’s stance, Umar said a long-term lockdown is not feasible for any country and the world has also realized it now
“We have to enforce smart lockdowns in hotspots because this way we can stop the spread in areas that are witnessing outbreaks and at the same time protect jobs and livelihoods by not imposing complete lockdowns,” he said.
Of the abysmal healthcare scenario, he said the government is striving for a maximum possible increase in facilities.
Currently, over 2,000 people are on oxygen support across the country and the federal government would enhance the delivery of oxygen beds in all provinces, as well as the federal capital, he said.
He added that 2,150 oxygen beds would also be provided to the provinces by the end of July.
Pakistan, he sad, was increasing its testing capacity to deal with growing Covid-19 cases. He said that currently 30,000 tests are held daily, in contrast with the 500 tests being conducted on a daily basis when the virus first emerged in the country. He added that in the next four to six weeks, Pakistan’s testing capacity is expected to increase to 150,000.
Healthcare experts and politicians fear the situation may not be controlled and the country might have to pay a heavy price for its peculiar social attitudes, irresponsible attitude of religious leaders and a painful lack of coordination among local and national governments.
