The number of daily coronavirus cases in the country has more than doubled over the last two weeks — from 979 on June 30 to 1980 on July 13. Many an expert sees this rise as a strong indication of the onset of a fourth wave of the raging pandemic. Even worse, the cases involved those of the highly virulent Delta variant — one that has wreaked havoc in India and many other countries.
The situation is particularly bad in Sindh province where the Covid-19 positivity rate has climbed to 7% as against an overall 4.17% in the country. And in Sindh, Karachi is faring the worst, with 14% coronavirus infestation. This has compelled the provincial authorities to re-impose restrictions lifted only recently. Under the new orders issued after a meeting of the Provincial Taskforce on Coronavirus, presided over by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, schools shall be closed again from tomorrow, as also all recreational facilities, amusement parks, cinemas, and indoor gyms. Indoor dinning shall not be allowed either.
What is even more troubling is the breakup of the cases which, the Chief Minister says, feature all new strains like the dreaded Indian variant (Delta) as well as those that originated in Britain, South Africa and Brazil. While cases in other parts of the country are only officially known to include those of Delta variant, it is pretty much obvious that many (or some) of those down with virus beyond Sindh have escaped the other variants. After all, there is no restriction on inter-provincial movement.
However, we, as a nation, are not as serious as the situation warrants. While an overwhelming majority of the public cares a damn about the lethal virus, the authorities too have failed to ensure proper implementation on the SOPs they themselves prescribe and the orders they themselves issue. We have yet again heard of the government having decided to take help from the armed forces for getting the public comply with the restrictions ordered. We had employed our soldiers during a previous such emergency too, but not in a properly planned way.
Given the rise in the infection, of varied types, we cannot afford any more complacency. Measures aimed at ensuring compliance with the SOPs must not be a mere formality.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2021.
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