IN an alarming development, 20 more people tested positive for the novel Coronavirus on Sunday, the highest number reported in the country in a single day, pushing the tally to 53. While Punjab reported its first case of the virus, Sindh reported 18 cases taking the total to 35 with Karachi being the worst affected city of the country where the number of affected people stands at twenty-two.
There are apprehensions that the tally would increase sharply once the authorities track down all those who recently visited neighbouring Iran, which is second worst affected country after China, and their whereabouts were not immediately known. This seems to be a grave lapse as late start of screening on Pak-Iran border might have its own consequences leading to spread of the virus to different parts of the country and more infections as the affected people come into contact with others. It was, perhaps, in this backdrop that the Government wisely decided to close down schools and ban gatherings like those in marriage halls and public places. As the situation is ripe for exploitation, Punjab Government has done well by imposing province-wise Section-144 prohibiting gathering of people and hoarding of stuff like hand sanitizers and masks etc. There will be a complete ban on opening of educational institutes, marriage halls, holding of exams and religious and public gatherings. However, wedding ceremonies within the boundary walls of houses have been allowed to facilitate the public but people should, as a precautionary measure, restrict such gatherings to close relatives. It has also been decided that buses, which brought pilgrims from Iran and other areas, would be disinfected, relatives of pilgrims would be given awareness about precautionary measures through videos and help of Ulema would be sought for this purpose. More important are screening arrangements at all airports and entry points of the country and procurement of sufficient number of screening kits and building stocks of protective equipment in all government and private medical institutions so that doctors and paramedical staff themselves are ready to handle the infected people. The National Security Committee had taken decisions with regard to action plan to deal with the challenge of the fast spreading virus but more brainstorming sessions of the top decision-making platforms are needed to deliberate on implications and impact of the disease on overall economy so that the damage is minimized. The situation is becoming serious as the deadly virus has started taking toll of the exports with fears that these may decrease by 25% this month and fifty percent next month. According to reports, buyers have started sending emails to exporters not to ship consignments containing export products to them.
