COVID-19 patients could increase to 1 million if SOPs not followed: Asad Umar
COVID-19 patients could increase to 1 million if SOPs not followed: Asad Umar
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Planning Minister Asad Umar has said that the pace of spread of COVID-19 could increase if precautionary measures not taken seriously and the number of coronavirus patients could increase to one million at the end of July.
He gave media briefing at National Command and Operation Centre in Islamabad today and said that total cases in the country have reached closer to 150,000 which could increase two fold by the end of this month. He cautioned that by the end of next month, the same number could reach at 1 to 1.2 million cases.
Asad Umar said there is drastic need to take actions at societal as well as individual levels. He said wearing masks is mandatory for slowing down the spread of disease. He said some studies suggest that the pace of coronavirus spread could be decreased by fifty percent by covering the face alone and social distancing has the same importance, he added.
The Minister said administrative actions have been taken to protect the people from this disease. He said shops, transport and individuals have been fined who were not following the SOPs. He warned that such actions will be increased now.
Asad Umar said lockdown for long term will not be feasible as the world has also realized it now. He said Prime Minister has always suggested that COVID-19 could be controlled by precautionary measures.
He said Punjab government will announce today the strategy for actions in areas said to be the hotbeds of the disease. He said federal government will assist the Punjab government in smart lockdowns to curtail the spread of disease.
Asad Umar said more than 2,000 people across the country are on ventilators at the moment. The federal government will ensure enhancing delivery of these beds in all four provinces, as well as the federal capital. He said 2,150 oxygen beds would be provided to the provinces by end of next month.
He said the testing capacity has also been enhanced. The Minister said now 30,000 tests could be held on daily basis which were just around 500 when the first cases were reported. He said in next four to six weeks, the testing capacity is expected to be increased to 150,000.
