Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Planning Minister Asad Umar on Friday said that the country’s Covid-19 outbreak was not likely to overwhelm the healthcare system.
Addressing a press conference, he acknowledged that pressure on big hospitals in major cities was high for two weeks earlier. The current scenario, however, showed that the situation does not seem to be getting to a position where our health system would collapse, he said.
He urged the people to realise their responsibility towards doctors and healthcare workers — who are risking their health and fighting for the nation in this difficult time — by taking precautions.
“If we continue to take these measures, our businesses will keep running and life will not come to a halt.”
The nationwide tally of coronavirus cases by June 30 is likely to be around 225,000, which is 75,000 less than what was predicted earlier, said Federal Minister Asad Umar.
Earlier, on June 14, Umar, who heads the National Command and Operations Centre to lead the national response against the Covid-19 pandemic, had said that experts believe the number of confirmed cases nationwide may hit 300,000 by the end of the current month. People have complied with precautionary measures, and while the threat of the virus remains, the situation seems to be improving, said Umar while briefing on the pandemic.
“I am not saying that the threat of the virus has been averted, but in the last two weeks the situation has improved.” We had presented the facts on June 14, at the time it was expected that the number of confirmed cases would reach 300,000 by the end of the month, said the minister.
However, in Friday’s meeting, we reviewed the situation and it is now estimated that the Covid-19 tally would be around 225,000 [by June 30], he added. According to Umar, as of now, the health system has not crumbled due to the deadly virus. He assured that the health system is being strengthened, but warned that the situation may worsen if precautions aren’t taken.
“If we all play our part, the spread of the virus can be controlled,” said Umar, stressing that compliance with precautionary measures is necessary.
The minister added that the government was trying to ensure that business activity continues, that the poor are not affected, and the health of the people is also protected.
