Shaniera Akram expresses concern over rising COVID-19 cases

KARACHI: Shaniera Akram, wife of former cricketer Wasim Akram has expressed concerns over the speedy spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan and urged people to follow the government’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).

In a series of tweets, Shaniera said, “I’ve been living in Pakistan for more than 8 years. I have seen a lot. But nothing has frightened me more than the way, we as a country, have handled this outbreak.”

“I fear we are past the stage of ‘if we contract COVID’ Every household must now prepare for ‘when’. #COVIDPakistan.”

I’ve been living in Pakistan for more than 8 years. I have seen a lot. But nothing has frightened me more than the way, we as a country, have handled this pandemic. I fear we are past the stage of “if we contract COVID” Every household must now prepare for “when”. #COVIDPakistan

— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) June 7, 2020

Shaniera further said “To all those people who have done the right thing, thank you, you have helped slow down the spread but unfortunately we were just not strong enough, now we must brace ourselves for inevitable. Please stay safe, follow SOPs and keep your doors closed!”

To all those people who have done the right thing, thank you, you have helped slow down the spread but unfortunately we were just not strong enough, now we must brace ourselves for inevitable. Please stay safe, follow SOPs and keep your doors closed !

— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) June 7, 2020

Shaniera appealed people to lock their doors as the virus was knocking on their doors. She further said, “Knock Knock. Who’s there? A life-threatening virus…. #StaySafePakistan #LockYourDoors #CoronaVirusPakistan.”

Knock Knock. Who’s there ? A life threatening virus…. #StaySafePakistan #LockYourDoors #CoronaVirusPakistan

— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) June 7, 2020

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has surged to 98,943 in Pakistan today, while the death toll stands at 2,000.

Pakistan has reported its highest numbers of COVID-19 deaths and infections in a single day since the pandemic emerged in March, prompting health experts to call for a strict lockdown to contain it.

According to the Health Ministry, a record of 4,960 new cases, and 48 deaths from the disease have been reported in the country during the last 24 hours.

As per details, 21 percent of the cases have foreign travel history while 79 percent of the cases are reported to be locally transmitted.

There have been 37,090cases so far been detected in Punjab, 36,364in Sindh, 12,459in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6,221in Balochistan,  4,323 in Islamabad, 897 in Gilgit Baltistan and  331 in Azad Kashmir.

Out of a total of 1,998 deaths, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 561 deaths, Sindh 634, Balochistan 54, Gilgit-Baltistan 13, Punjab 683, Azad Kashmir 08 and Islamabad Capital Territory has reported 45 deaths.