Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 on February 26, 2020 and currently the country has exceeded 108,000 cases with 2172 deaths. Almost all districts of Pakistan have been infected with COVID-19, with the major cities contributing highest number of cases nationwide. Government intervention on limiting the spread of the disease was seemingly effective in the beginning, which was significantly controlling the number of cases.
On May 1, 2020 the Supreme Court and Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed on partial relaxation of the measures which ultimately led to rapid increase in the number of cases. Regardless of the reported increase in spread of the virus, the government decided to relax the lockdown. None of the prerequisite conditions were met before lifting the lockdown. Neither the disease transmission was brought under control, nor was the population fully educated and entitled to live under a new normal. In fact, what made the situation even worse was a complete relaxation of the lockdown on May 22, 2020.
On May 15, 2020 the Prime Minister emphasized on the need of lifting the COVID-19 induced lockdown. He quoted that “the nation would have to learn to live with the virus”. Keeping in mind how ignorant the nation was already being, the easing of lockdown was not at all a good idea. Recent figures for the cases of COVID-19 have shown a rapid increase in the number of new cases in hospital. Pakistan already lacks nurses and doctors compared to other countries and the premature lifting of the lockdown has put them at risk of picking up the virus and passing it on further. More than 30 health professionals have lost their life to the fatal virus.
Experts have forecasted that these cases are likely to peak by mid-June. The idea of ‘herd immunity’ is certainly proving to be highly risky and dangerous for the nation. The confusion regarding the lockdown has put unmanageable burden on the healthcare system. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s incentive to ease the closure of businesses and industries was to prevent the poor from starving to death. Ironically, the poor are now instead dying of the deadly virus.
National Institute of Health has estimated the number of daily cases to increase by 15-20pc due to the ease of lockdown. Majority of the general public is simply ignoring the SOPs due to lack of awareness. Despite the rising number of cases, most are still not ready to believe that this is indeed a global pandemic. Instead, they are disregarding it by claiming that the virus does not exist and the doctors are killing the patients. Not only that, but this belief has put the lives of health workers at risk.
With a positivity rate at 24%, the surveillance system is immensely weak. Thousands are being diagnosed every day and the chains of transmission are spreading beyond control. There are only 751 ventilators available, and the nation is not ready to adapt the precautionary methods. To mitigate the risk of system collapse, the government needs to take strategic decisions regarding the lockdown while ensuring food security, human rights, and economic prosperity.