FEARS of another wave of Covid-19 are growing in the country as positivity rate continues to increase with 818 new cases reported on Saturday — something which should ring alarm bells in the concerned quarters to take timely steps in order to save precious lives as well as livelihoods and other important sectors including the education which may suffer as a result of lockdowns.
The whole world acknowledges the way Pakistan dealt with Covid-19 ever since its breakout.
The role of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) remained pivotal in the entire fight as timely decisions taken with consensus with all the federating units on the basis of scientific data really helped the country rein in the virus.
Given the current situation, it has become important to revive the NCOC on the same lines and pattern it was operating earlier to curb the cases.
The policy of track and trace remained a success in order to reach and isolate the affected people immediately.
There is a dire need to immediately increase the level of Covid related tests to avoid its further spread.
For this, a mass awareness campaign needs to be started, encouraging the people also to get booster shots of vaccine whilst those with symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, etc to get themselves tested for their own safety as well as those of others.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has already warned to take tough measures if the pandemic situation continues to worsen.
These tough measures must be such which compel the people observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) such as use of mask and hand sanitizer.
As Eid-ulAzha is around the corner and the people will start visiting cattle markets to purchase sacrificial animals, hence, the federal and provincial governments must take all possible steps to ensure compliance to the SOPs as well as avoid big gatherings at these markets.
Rush at the cattle markets can contribute to mass spread of the virus. It is also for the people themselves to observe caution and maintain distance whilst visiting the cattle markets.
Our country is already faced with dire economic situation and the people with price hike. The closure of businesses and industries at this moment will only further complicate these problems.
Precautionary measures are the only way forward through which can keep the wheel of economy rolling.
