Islamabad: Pakistan recorded 201 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, registering the highest daily death toll since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 17,530 people in Pakistan have lost their lives to the deadly virus since last year.
The country is averaging nearly 5,000 cases per day in the month of April. The official data showed the country reported 5,292 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours, taking the total reported infections to 810,231, according to the National Command Operation Center (NCOC), leading the government’s pandemic response.
Stricter lockdowns expected
The continuous spike has prompted the government to consider new restrictions. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government is considering strong action and possibly a complete two-week lockdown in the worst-hit regions including all major cities to control the spread amid the alarming rise in cases. Health officials have focused their efforts towards increasing the country’s oxygen production capacity and ensuring uninterrupted supply of oxygen to hospitals.
Alarming situation in hospitals
Pakistan has limited health resources and supplies. More than 70 to 90 per cent of ventilators and oxygenated beds are currently occupied in hospitals in many major cities, according to health officials. If the numbers of cases continue to surge, the oxygen supplies may run short, the NCOC chief Asad Umar warned. There are currently more than 4,500 patients who need oxygen support, which exposes the severe pressure on the healthcare system.
Domestic travel restrictions
Pakistan also announced domestic travel restrictions across Pakistan on Eid holidays to curb the spread of the virus. NCOC has imposed a complete ban on tourism from May 8-16. All the scenic regions in northern Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, which attract thousands of local tourists every year during Eid holidays, will also remain closed. There will also be a travel ban on inter-provincial and inter-city transport during the Eid holidays. All tourist resorts, public parks, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, would also remain closed during this time.
COVID-19 curbs in place
This week, Pakistan army troops have been deployed in 16 major cities with high positivity rates, to assist civilian law enforcement in enforcing health measures. Pakistan announced stricter measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of masks in public, closing of non-essential businesses after 6pm and complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining and closure of schools in major cities and closures on the weekend.
Request people to stay at home on Eid
Officials are imploring the public to adhere to health guidelines, warning that the government would have no other option but to impose complete lockdown if the situation does not improve. Health chief Dr Faisal Sultan warned strict measures would be imposed if people did not heed advice on social distancing, wearing masks, and other precautionary measures. “Please keep your Ramadan and Eid simple so we can fight this disease and get through this difficult situation,” Sultan said. Officials have appealed to Pakistanis to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home this year.
Pakistan has administered more than 2 million doses of the vaccine as of April 28, vaccinating merely 1 per cent of its 220 million population so far.
