PM warns of second COVID-19 peak in winter, urges strict SOPs compliance

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that there is a fear onset of winter could result in the second wave of coronavirus if people do not follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) seriously.

On social media website Twitter today, PM Imran said, “Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pak & spared us worst effects of COVID-19.”

He urged the people to wear face masks in public to avoid an increase in COVID-19 cases. “All offices & educational institutions must ensure masks are worn,” the PM said.

Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pak & spared us worst effects of COVID-19. There is a fear onset of winter could result in 2nd wave. I urge everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike. All offices & ed institutions must ensure masks are worn

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 4, 2020

There has been a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country. It has prompted the authorities to place several virus hotspots under micro smart lockdown for two weeks.

Pakistan has reported 632 new coronavirus cases and six deaths during the past 24 hours, bring the number of confirmed infections in the country to 314,616 and fatalities to 6,513.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 632 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours across the country.

As many as 298,593 patients have recovered from the disease while 480 patients are reported to be in critical condition.

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.

Till now 137,783 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Sindh,  99,563 in Punjab, 37,908 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 16,713 in Islamabad, 15,323 in Balochistan, 2,776 in Azad Kashmir and 3,816 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Besides, 2,517 patients have lost their lives to the epidemic in Sindh, 2,238 in Punjab, 1,260 in KP, 146 in Balochistan, 183 in Islamabad, 87 in GB and 73 in Azad Kashmir.

Pakistan has so far conducted 3,520,656 COVID-19 tests and 26,968 during the last 24 hours. 298,593 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas 480 patients are in critical condition in different hospitals.