FRIDAY was the deadliest day for Pakistan as 96 people died of Coronavirus and 2,363 others were infected, indicating that the situation of the pandemic, as previously apprehended, has entered a critical stage in the country. It seems we are heading for greater trouble as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza has urged people not to let their guard down against the novel Coronavirus as number of positive cases and deaths could increase in the country in coming days.
It is quite evident that the surge has come in the backdrop of decision of the Government to resume routine life and greater interaction of the people without regard to safety precautions is causing new infections. As offices are also reopening, there are concerns that the problem would compound for employees as well as their families because cases of infections are emerging despite adoption of safety measures in offices as is borne out by the fact that Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and his eight family members also tested positive for the disease besides employees of different departments of federal and provincial governments who were on duty even during lockdown because of nature of their jobs. It is pertinent to note that associations of private schools have also started pressurizing the government for reopening of educational institutions and similar demands are being made by owners of marriage halls. Sindh Government has done well by declaring that all educational institutions in the province will continue to remain closed after June 1 amid the Covid-19 outbreak as no risks can be taken at this stage when the number of virus cases in the province is rising rapidly. There is also a serious issue that deserves urgent attention of the authorities concerned: People are not opting for tests or visiting hospitals amid reports that most of the ordinary patients are also sent to Corona wards.
