FACTS and figures speak for themselves regarding success of smart lockdown policy that government adhered to regardless of drawing a lot of ire and taunt from different quarters especially the opposition parties. Improvement in situation can be gauged from the fact that today total number of recovered patients has surpassed Covid-19 positive cases. The total number of recovered cases in the country on Saturday was 125,094 while tally of active cases stood at 95,570. There is also reduction in number of deaths and new cases.
There is no doubt that smart lockdown policy yielded results in balancing life and livelihoods, keeping our economy afloat and addressing issues of poor and working class while containing the disease. National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) that completed one hundred days on Saturday also deserves appreciation for putting up a robust and coordinated response to the pandemic. During a visit to the NCOC on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan also acknowledged its services vis-à-vis monitoring of situation, capacity enhancement of healthcare system, establishment of credible database to a better resource management and formulation of SOPs. Curtailment of the virus also indicates maturity demonstrated by the whole nation to adapt to the new situation. Nonetheless, the threat is not over yet. The World Health Organisation is reporting record increase in global cases with highest being reported from India, the United States and Brazil. Therefore we do not need to be complacent rather build on successes achieved so far by fully supporting govt’s anti corona efforts.
Resurgence of the virus is being anticipated during Eid-ul-Azha as large number of people would throng cattle markets to purchase sacrificial animals. Arrangements need to be put in place by authorities concerned to avoid mad rush in cattle markets and in this regard especial awareness campaigns should also be launched both on electronic and print media. Elderly people and children should not be allowed to visit cattle markets plus people must ensure compliance of SOPs such as use of hand sanitizers and facemasks to stay safe.
