Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) reimposed lockdown on Sunday to help curb surging coronavirus infections.
AJK PM said on Twitter that his government had made the decision in an attempt to prevent the re-emergence of the virus cases in the territory.
“I have asked the authorities to chalk out the [lockdown] parameters within the next two days. Beware, when the world’s top economies could not counter the pandemic, then how can we do that with limited resources?” said Raja Farooq Haider.
“Before the situation goes out of control, we have to take strict actions,” he added, urging compliance with safety protocols.
The move came after the coronavirus case rate surged to 8.3% in AJK.
Authorities have also imposed a “smart” lockdown in some parts of Karachi amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Imran Khan warned of a possible second wave of the coronavirus during winter.
Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pak & spared us worst effects of COVID-19. There is a fear onset of winter could result in 2nd wave. I urge everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike. All offices & ed institutions must ensure masks are worn
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 4, 2020
All offices and educational institutions must ensure masks are worn, PM cautioned.
Coronavirus in Pakistan
COVID-19 cases have dropped considerably in Pakistan over the past months, prompting the government to completely lift a months-long lockdown.
The number of cases dropped from nearly 7,000 per day to only 400.
However, additional cases have doubled over the past two weeks after schools reopened last month.
The country has recorded a total of 314,610 cases so far. Of which 298,968 have recovered, according to Health Ministry data. Meanwhile, the death toll stands at 6,513.
Officials are currently following a “mini-smart lockdown” strategy. Instead of closing entire streets or shopping centers, only individual houses or workplaces with reported infections are sealed.
Slim chances of a second wave
A study by Pakistan’s leading blood diseases institute suggested last month that there was a slim chance of the second wave of coronavirus in the country.
The study at the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) was published by Oxford University Press’s Journal of Public Health.
Titled Challenges in acquiring herd immunity for COVID-19, the study conducted by a team of microbiologists, hematologists, and pathologists led by Dr. Samreen Zaidi includes nearly 1,700 people from healthcare, community, and industrial workers.
According to Zaidi, Pakistan has “almost” achieved herd immunity, indicating that there are low chances of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
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