The most devastating coronavirus statistic which indicates the need for urgent change is not the infection rate, but the fatality numbers. Currently, both are on a surge in Pakistan.
According to data released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the total number of total deaths climbed to 15,982 while the total number of cases reached 745,182. It is true that Pakistan is conducting more tests than ever, with the government having conducted 65,279 tests in the last 24 hours. However, the rise in deaths attributed to the pandemic should wake everyone up to alarm that the third wave is well and alive in Pakistan, when the vaccination rate is quite low. 112 deaths have been reported just in the last 24 hours and according to the government’s Covid-19 portal, 4149 more patients are in critical condition.
Health experts had earlier estimated that the third wave would begin in March and recede in mid-April, but it is continuing even beyond that and our infrastructure and facilities are not prepared. Hospitals are on the verge of saturation, with Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) having exhausted its capacity and starting queues for beds in emergency rooms.
The spike in cases can no doubt be traced back to the skirting of restrictions in the last few months, with ongoing wedding functions, gatherings and rallies, with no heed paid to wearing masks and social distancing. The government in the last few weeks has tried to change gears and announced strict restrictions but again these do not seem to be taken seriously; the riots in the last days are just an example.
Stories being released of government members themselves violating SOPs privately further damage the resolve to adhere to pandemic regulations. Stringent SOPs and a faster vaccination drive need to be the government’s top priorities this month. The example of our neighbour India, with its record 200,000 new Covid-19 cases in a day, should be a reminder of what our country could escalate to if the required precautions aren’t taken.