The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone globally. The resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic is a serious problem, especially for an economically weak state like Pakistan.
Despite proper immunization and vaccination of the masses, Covid-19 is still on a surge. Pakistan is facing another wave of the Covid-19. Health experts predicted that by the next week there would be a surge of patients in hospitals due to the Covid-19 infections. The saddest thing is that despite such a chronic disease no one is willing to cooperate and not agree to wear a mask at public gatherings such as wedding halls, shopping malls, markets, restaurants, offices et cetera. People are careless about their health and are doing life chores without following safety measures.
In the last week, hundreds of cases have been recorded in Pakistan. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), new cases have risen to the highest in 80 days, with Karachi and Hyderabad now reporting positivity rates of above 10pc — a level which, in the past, would have prompted lockdown measures.
Karachi being the most populated city in Pakistan, reported the highest number of cases and the positivity rate increased to 22 percent. While the positivity rate in other cities is; Hyderabad has 8.5 percent, Islamabad has 3.45 percent, Mardan has 9 percent, and Peshawar has 3 percent. The recent fresh wave of Covid-19 is linked to a super contagious Omicron subvariant which is BA2.12.1, first detected in Pakistan in the second week of May 2022. According to officials, the number of reported cases and positivity rates in different cities have more than doubled since the previous week, indicating the fast transmission of the virus.
It is surprising that despite the proper vaccination and booster shots the rapid surge in Covid-19 can be seen again. It seems like the effectiveness of the immunization is waning over time. During the school summer vacations, the majority plan vacation trips, travel to visit family, and arrange weddings in vacations all this invites the harmful infection to the country. This increases the risk of resurgence of Covid-19 disease.
The NCOC strictly instructed people to wear masks during traveling and public gatherings. Pakistan’s economy is already in a fragile condition and could not bear the burden of the rising hospitalizations. The governing bodies should implement preventive measures as soon as possible. Moreover, there is a need to implement a proper policy framework to ensure the safety of the public. Both federal and provincial governments should immediately provide education and launch a public awareness drive to encourage people to adopt preventive measures.
