Coronavirus spread alarming: Health DG

QUETTA: Baluchistan Director General of Health Dr Muhammad Saleem Abro on Tuesday termed the spread of coronavirus in Balochistan as alarming.

"On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, majority of the people ignored social distancing and precautionary measures. The results will begin to emerge in the next one or two days,” Dr Abro said.

He added that the coronavirus is not being taken seriously by the people and the prevailing SOPs imposed by the government are being ignored. "At present, the prevalence rate is around 30 to 35 per cent. If the people do not strictly follow the precautionary measures, the prevalence rate could go up to 79 per cent by October-November," he said, asking people to show responsibility.

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"The health department has managed the situation so far using available resources. If the people continue to ignore the precautionary measures, the spread of this virus will increase exponentially," he emphasised, adding that easing the lockdown was only allowed after witnessing public problems.

The DG health concluded that lack of seriousness at the public level will lead to more severe situations, adding that not implementing SOPs could lead to extraordinary delays in the restoration of life. "In view of the situation, the Balochistan Health Department has made recommendations to the provincial government," Abro said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2020.