The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) warned on Sunday that the government’s decision to relax Covid-19 restrictions may lead to a third coronavirus wave, as infection figures have been surging again.
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Sunday that 1,780 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the highest daily caseload since January 30. The total number of infections rose to 590,508 with these fresh cases.
The country recorded 39 more deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic in the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 13,205. The total count of active cases is 17,352 and the positivity rate stands at 4.57 per cent. According to the NCOC, 1,595 patients were stated to be in critical condition.
In the past 24 hours, as many as 1,038 patients recovered from the virus while so far, the number of recoveries has been 559,248. A total of 38,887 tests were conducted across the country during the last 24 hours, while 9,212,480 samples have so far been tested.
The increase in Covid-19 cases comes after the NCOC, which oversees Pakistan’s coronavirus response, on February 24 eased most of virus-related restrictions, allowing commercial activities and workplaces to function at full strength. “This could lead, God forbid, to a third wave of Covid-19 in the country,” PMA Secretary General Dr Qaiser Sajjad said in a statement. He added that the decision to lift the restrictions now was too hasty and should take place after most Pakistanis have been vaccinated. “We suggested that after vaccination of at least 70 per cent of the population, (the government) could start lifting restrictions,” he further said.
Meanwhile, NCOC chief Asad Umar said on Sunday that vaccination drive for people above 60 years old will begin from Wednesday (March 10), adding that further details for the process will be issued on Monday.
In a tweet, the federal minister said that the vaccinations will be done in reverse order by age. “The vaccination of people 60 years and older will be starting from Wednesday the 10th of March.”
“Vaccinations will be done in reverse order by age. This means the oldest person who has registered will be vaccinated first. Full details will be issued tomorrow,” read the tweet shared by the minister.
The number of coronavirus cases have almost doubled in a week in Lahore. As per sources in the Punjab health department, the number of daily coronavirus cases in Punjab on February 28 were 528 which have now doubled to 1,044 as of Sunday.
In Peshawar, the civil administration has imposed a micro smart lockdown in several neighbourhoods of Peshawar to halt virus spread. According to a notification, the lockdown came into effect at 6:00pm on Sunday, following which there was a complete ban on movement of people to and from these areas except for limited movement. Essential services are exempted from the ban. The officials said the lockdown is being imposed in small areas and streets considered Covid-19 hotspots.
Sindh reported at least 189 new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 259,854. According to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, two more patients succumbed to the deadly virus as the death toll surged to 4,426. He further said that 189 patients recovered overnight, taking the total to 249,188.
Punjab’s tally for confirmed Covid-19 cases reached 177,008 after the province reported 1,044 cases in a day. The province had not reported over 1,000 cases in a day since July last year.
Moreover, Punjab also reported 18 more deaths on Saturday, taking the provincial death toll to 5,552. According to the province’s healthcare department, it has so far recorded 164,989 recoveries.
