We are making huge mistake by not following Covid-19 SOPs: Asad Umar

The minister insists need for safety precautions is greater than ever

Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar warned the nation on Monday of making the 'huge' mistake of not following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the increase in the Covid-19 pandemic cases.

"SOP compliance remains low," the minister said on Twitter. "Hospital fill up [is] continuing to grow. Critical care patients [are] now above 4,500, which is 30% higher than the peak in June last year."

He further warned that global covid cases exceeding 750,000 per day and deaths more than 13,000.

Hospital fill up continuing to grow. Critical care patients now above 4500, which is 30% higher than peak in june last year. Oxygen supply capacity in the country is now under stress. Sop compliance remains low. We are making a huge mistake by not following sop's

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 19, 2021

"We are seeing some of the worst numbers since covid started. Our neighbourhood in severe crises," Umar said.

Read more: Pakistan records 5,152 new Covid-19 cases, 73 deaths in 24 hours

Daily deaths in Iran were more than 300 and in India, more than 1,600. "The need for safety precautions is greater than ever," the minister added.

Global covid cases exceeding 750,000 per day and deaths more than 13,000. We are seeing some of the worst numbers since covid started. Our neighborhood in severe crises. Daily deaths in iran more than 300 and India more than 1600. Need for safety precautions greater than ever

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 19, 2021

Earlier on April 12, the minister said Covid-19 SOP compliance remains weak in the country and the administration has been asked to "ramp up" enforcement to avoid a crisis like situation.

The minister added that the pressure on hospitals is increasing across the country. The minister's tweet came after he presided over a National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting earlier.