ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has asserted that the second coronavirus wave has begun in Pakistan with both the death and positivity rates rising across the country.
While addressing a press conference in Islamabad today (Tuesday), the special assistant pointed out that nearly 400-500 cases were being recorded daily a few weeks ago, but now the infections have shot up to 700-750 per day.
“On the other hand, the coronavirus death rate has also increased in the country. The positive ratio had surged to 2.5 percent,” the special assistant added.
He highlighted that the nation was not following the government-devised standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the extent that it should. “Pakistan, now, is entering a phase where we need to tighten the coronavirus curbs,” he remarked.
“Our focus — tightening coronavirus curbs — will be more on the cities and areas where the positivity ratio of the deadly virus is high,” Dr Faisal informed.
He further said that the concerned authorities were mulling over several plans of action to curb the spread. “We urge the local administrations to implement coronavirus SOPs,” he added.
The premier’s aide also warned that the federal government would impose a fine on people who did not follow coronavirus SOPs in public places. Dr Faisal reaffirmed that the business timings might be reduced once again.
“The government was mulling over setting up a hotline so that the citizens could inform the authorities of violations of precautionary measures,” he said adding that restrictions were hard on the people and no government wishes to impose them.
