Virus receding as new cases drop drastically

Another day with less than 3,000 cases in 24 hours; experts fear resurgence during Eid

Aslow but steady drop in the number of new cases of coronavirus has raised hopes in Pakistan that July would be better and safer than June. However, health experts have warned that the virus might return with more intensity if people ignore the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other preventive measures during the upcoming Eid Al Adha.

While speaking to Gulf News, public health specialist in Punjab, Ali Raza, said prevalence of Covid-19 had dropped from 25 per cent to 12 per cent, and according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards, 5 per cent is the ideal ratio when easing in lockdown can be recommended.

Weaker strain?

When asked which factors contributed to a drop in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan, he said it was partially due to the policy of a smart lockdown and partially attributable to the natural immunity of the people of Pakistan.

Another reason, he said, could be that a “different” and weaker strain of the virus was prevalent in Pakistan — compared to the ones found in China or Europe.

Pakistan yesterday recorded 237,489 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 4,922 deaths were reported, which means that in the last 24 hours, 2,980 new cases have surfaced, with 83 deaths.

So yesterday turned out to be the second consecutive day when the number of positive cases in a period of 24 hours was reported to be below 3,000. At the same time, there was a major plunge in the number of tests conducted in a day — 21,951 — from the 24,577 tests carried out a day earlier.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has made operational 1,434 oxygenated beds and according to Asad Umar, the Federal Minister and Chairman of the National Committee on Coronavirus, provision of the dedicated beds to public sector hospitals was a landmark step in battle against coronavirus.