Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasised on the need to strictly follow coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
Chairing a meeting of National Co-ordination Committee on Covid-19 in Islamabad, he said that effective co-ordination and comprehensive strategy helped in the country’s success against coronavirus.
He, however, said the threat remains, for which co-operation of the entire nation is needed.
Khan appreciated the ulema and religious leaders for their co-operation in fight against pandemic.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given about various steps to stop spread of the coronavirus during religious events, the restoration of educational activities in schools, the implementation on the test, track, and quarantine strategy, the testing plan for various sectors, especially tourism and aviation, and the micro and smart lockdown strategy.
The meeting was informed that a significant reduction in positive coronavirus cases has been recorded due to effective measures taken by the government.
Regarding the resumption of educational activities in schools, the prime minister directed that all arrangements be finalised in consultation with provincial governments, school administrations and other relevant people, so that a final decision can be taken in the meeting to be held on September 7.
The meeting also decided to review health protocols regarding domestic air travel in view of improved coronavirus situation in the country.
Federal ministers, prime minister’s advisers and special assistants, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman, and other senior officers attended the meeting, while Azad Jammu and the Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and provincial chief ministers participated in the discussion via video link.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke on the situation with regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking with media in Multan, he stressed the need for strictly following standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to curb spread of the pandemic.
The minister said the month of Muharram demands that everyone promote unity and harmony among our ranks.
Qureshi also spoke on the situation in Karachi, saying that due to heavy rainfall, circumstances are critical.
He said that the federal and provincial governments are required to work together to put an end to the sufferings of the people of Karachi.
The minister said that Karachi’s drainage system needs to be revamped to secure future of the city.
Experts in Pakistan meanwhile have divergent opinions about the sharp decline in Covid-19 cases and deaths, as some believe that it remains premature to say that the virus is disappearing, while others argue that decrease in cases is the result of herd immunity developed by the community and measures taken by the government.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has recorded 1,249 deaths and 35,893 cases since the onset of the pandemic, has not reported any death in the past three days, with new daily cases remaining 42 on average in the same period.
Experts say it is premature to say that the virus has disappeared.
“I am very surprised, with no logical explanation except to mention Almighty Allah. The virus has suddenly decided to behave, but like in horror movies, I fear it would come back,” said Prof Mohamed Amjad Taqweem, the chief executive officer of Health Net Hospital.
He said that he had expected a massive rise in Covid-19 cases after the Eid al-Adha, the inauguration of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, the reopening of markets, and the lack of adherence to any standard operating procedure from market to mosque, but pleasantly surprised to be wrong.
“The cases are actually decreasing. Medically speaking, probably the virus has mutated to less aggressive form.
“Anyway, I still expect it to come back anytime as disappearance without quantifiable reason is more worrisome … we don’t know what to expect,” said Amjad, a former physician at Lady Reading Hospital.
He said that his advice remained same, that it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Mask, distance and hand wash, along with mouthwash should be regular part of our life at least for six months.
“If there is no recurrence of Covid-19 in the six months, then Allah has done special treatment with Pakistan, and we should be grateful for that,” he said.
When asked if there is any scientific evidence about decline in Covid-19 cases so far, Amjad said that the number of patients in clinics and hospitals has declined, so it was good enough evidence.
“The virus caseload has decreased, not disappeared totally, but its decrease is a mystery. It is because the reason for increase are all present and the reason for decrease is speculative theory that virus has mutated to less lethal form,” he said.
Khyber Medical University vice-chancellor Professor Ziaul Haq has attributed the decline in Covid-19 cases and mortality to the measures taken by the government as well as herd immunity to the disease.
“When most of a population is infected with Covid-19 and achieve immunity to the disease, this provides indirect protection or herd immunity to those who are not infected.
“An infected human is a source of transmission. More people immune to the disease causes disruption of the transmission cycle,” he said.
He also counted the government’s commitment as a factor in the decline.
“Shutting down of educational institutes, campaign in media, and regular meetings at the government level along with precautionary measures have caused the virus caseload to drop,” he said.
Another public health expert said that Pakistan, which saw a violent outbreak in June and July, was surprisingly recording a drop in deaths and cases.
He termed it a welcome sign but said that there is no scientific evidence to conclude that the virus was vanishing.
“About 30-40% of the population, which was vulnerable to the pandemic, has already got infected, and the others had strong immune systems and remained safe.
“Most of population is young, with strong immune systems, and lockdown measures are factors in the decrease in Covid-19 cases,” he said.
He said that the country recorded on average 20 deaths per day in May and June.
“Now it is registering on average five to six deaths per day but the cause is unclear. But it could still flare up,” he stated.