The government of Sindh, according to various local media reports, is considering re-imposing a lockdown as cases of the novel coronavirus do not seem to be showing any sign of ceasing in the province.
In this regard, the provincial government hinted at implementing recommendations made in a World Health Organisation (WHO) report sent to the Punjab authorities on Tuesday.
The global health body had expressed concern over easing of a lockdown in Pakistan’s biggest province without fulfilling six conditions to do so.
It may be mentioned here that the country has so far recorded more than 122,000 cases of Covid-19, and registered almost 2,400 deaths while the premier, earlier this week, said that the worst has yet to come as the disease is expected to peak in July and August.
So far, the number of infections according to officially released figures remain more or less at par with each other with Sindh housing 46,828 infected persons and Punjab 45,463 by Thursday night.
Local media reports state that Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah was consulting with his party leadership over the WHO’s suggestions and recommendations and taking advice from senior members of the provincial cabinet as well as health experts.
A final decision on the proposed two-week lockdown and other restrictions was expected to be made in consultation with the federal government, the sources in the Sindh government noted. The provincial leadership had also decided to get in touch with Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Punjab.
The current situation of the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan required that the recommendations of the World Health Organization be strictly followed, the sources said.
Large-scale testing to identify and diagnose cases of the respiratory disease could be carried out on predetermined days once a lockdown was in place, according to members of the provincial cabinet.
1,712 CHILDREN INFECTED
Various ministers in Sindh suggested that while the spread of the virus could not be stopped, it was, however, possible to isolate coronavirus patients through contact tracing.
Earlier today, the government of Sindh reported the highest single-day surge in cases of the coronavirus after carrying out more than 10,000 tests.
According to CM Shah, 3,038 people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours and the nationwide death toll rose to 2,394 after 38 new deaths were reported in Sindh, taking the provincial tally to 776.
Further, Sindh government spokesperson Senator Murtaza Wahab said 1,712 children were infected with COVID-19 in the province.
“Unfortunately, 4 such children have passed away. Our carelessness has exposed our dearest children,” Wahab wrote on Twitter. “Please, it’s not too late to change, please stay home for your children and elders.”
