–Over 700 cases recorded in 24 hours, with most cases emerging in Karachi
–Federal, provincial governments urge masses to take coronavirus threat seriously
–NCOC meeting reviews Ramzan guidelines, health situation and data integration
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistan on Sunday recorded over 700 new cases of coronavirus, the biggest one-day jump in cases since February 26, when the contagious virus first emerged in the country.
After the emergence of new cases, the toll stood at 13,328 with 2,936 recoveries and 277 deaths. Punjab had 5,446 cases, Sindh 4,615, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 1,864, Balochistan, 781, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 318, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 245 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 59.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a video message, said that 3,077 of Sindh’s total number of coronavirus cases — 4,615 — had been reported from Karachi. “During the past 24 hours, 301 new cases were reported in Karachi,” he said, adding that the government will have to establish more field hospitals and isolation centres.
“This is the highest figure ever reported during the 61 days of the COVID-19 emergency. This illustrates that the situation is going from bad to worse and that we will have to take extraordinary measures to get it under control,” he further said.
The chief minister also said that 3,028 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, which was the highest number of tests carried out in a single day.
Punjab Chief Minister Usmaz Buzdar shared additional 52 cases for April 25, taking the day’s total to 527 — the province’s highest so far. He also confirmed three more deaths in addition to the 10 earlier, marking Punjab’s highest daily death toll at 13.
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) GB’s General Secretary Dr Fida Hussain said that at least 50 people in GB have contracted coronavirus due to a lack of precautionary measures.
“Similarly, seven paramedical staff from City Hospital also tested positive for the coronavirus. This is an extremely alarming situation,” he added. He requested the government to enforce a stricter lockdown in the region and said that it was “unfair” that salaries of frontline parademics were being cut during a lethal pandemic.
KP Chief Minister’s Adviser Ajmal Wazir, during a media briefing, made a strong appeal to the people to take precautions, pointing out that so far, there is no cure for the coronavirus.
Wazir told the people that face masks could be prepared at home as well. “The primary purpose is to cover your nose and mouth,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Dr Javed, who passed away after being infected, and said that “generations will remember” the doctor.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan said that he has observed “socialisation” in bazaars and appealed to citizens to maintain social distancing. “A lot of people in villages are still not taking it seriously. We are doing [social distancing] for each other, for our families, for our society. I appeal to you to not take this lightly,” he said.
“If this pandemic spreads and the rush to hospitals increases, it will get out of our hands. Even doctors will not be able to do anything,” he warned.
Taking notice of the situation, the government said that the people were not taking the threat seriously. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, while speaking to the media, expressed disappointment over the masses’ “failure to grasp the seriousness” of the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
She said that while the government was doing its job, the public was still not fulfilling its responsibility and was not practicing social distancing.
NCOC MEETS TO REVIEW STRATEGY:
Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) was held to review the implementation of Ramzan guidelines, SME package, health situation and data integration.
Minister for Interior Brigadier (r) Ijaz Ahmed Shah apprised the meeting that population in urban areas needs to be continuously educated to follow guidelines and not operate business as usual during Ramzan.
He said that it was encouraging to see that people in villages were observing guidelines. He said that the political leadership particularly at district and union council level has most important role to educate masses for public safety and wellbeing.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umer said that provinces may be asked to give feedback on compliance by people on Ramzan guidelines on Monday.
The forum also dilated upon health situation and future course of action basing on likely projections.
The recent surge in the cases is being linked to the relaxation in the lockdown and the decision to allow congregational prayers during the holy month of Ramzan. The doctors from across the country have warned the federal government that the situation will go out of hand if it did not take back its decision on prayers.
The government on Friday extended until May 9 the ongoing lockdown aimed at stemming the fast-increasing coronavirus cases in the country.
“The coming few weeks are crucial [concerning the coronavirus outbreak]. That’s why the government has decided to further extend the lockdown,” Asad Umar had said, who is also the head of the government’s anti-COVID-19 campaign.
