Pakistan’s recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 infections since July on each of the last four days. Pakistan’s second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic has gathered momentum, data released on Monday showed, PM urges nation to follow SOPs.
There were 2,128 new cases registered on Sunday, the fourth day that the daily increase has been above 2,000.
More than 7% of people tested on Sunday were found to have got the virus. As compared with between 2% and 3% during most of the last four months.
“No one followed safety precautions, and we are seeing the results. It is high time people realise, or we will continue to suffer,” Dr. Seemin Jamali, Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center told Reuters.
Dr. Jamali deals with COVID-19 cases in the country’s largest city of Karachi.
After a peak of over 6,800 daily infections in June. The number fell to a low of 213 in August. And, it remained below 700 for most of the last three months.
The country has registered 359,032 cases in total and 7,160 deaths from the respiratory disease.
Earlier this month, the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out a complete lockdown. He decided to continue the “smart lockdown” policy with strict implementation of safety guidelines. The guidelines are given by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) – the federal government’s central body dealing with the pandemic.
The country’s last comprehensive lockdown was lifted in May.
Several religious and anti-government rallies have been held in major cities in recent weeks.
“NCOC has once again recommended to ban all large public gatherings. The rapid increase in positivity requires urgent steps to save lives and livelihoods,” Asad Umar, Pakistan’s planning minister said last week.
Late last month, Umar said the second wave had arrived. He sought citizens’ help in implementing safety guidelines in public spaces.
PM urges nation to strictly observe Corona SOPs
PM Imran has urged the nation to strictly observe SOPs against COVID-19 to contain the spread of the second wave of the pandemic in Pakistan.
He was addressing a press briefing. After presiding the National Coordination Committee meeting in Islamabad today.
PM announced the government was putting restrictions on public gatherings. We allow only 300 people in marriage ceremonies now, he added.
Meanwhile, govt will take a decision regarding the closure of schools and educational institutions after a week.
PM warned of an increasing burden on hospitals, if people do not follow standard operating procedures seriously.
He said if people follow SOPs in letter and spirit we can curtail the spread of disease. PM regretted that in the last few days corona cases in Pakistan have increased by 4 times.
The second wave of COVID-19 is becoming dangerous. Last Friday, Pakistan had reported more than 2300 coronavirus cases.
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