PAKISTN’S third Covid-19 wave has seen an alarming jump in positive coronavirus cases, with the most recent figures released by the NCOC showing a national positivity rate of approximately 19pc. Reports coming from Islamabad and Punjab, too, are worrying. This week, the capital recorded the highest number of single-day positive cases since the pandemic started, while Lahore has persistently reported more than 60pc of the positive cases in Punjab. Prime Minister Imran Khan, too, has teste positive, a worrying development that underscores how rampantly the virus is spreading. It is important foot he government to send a strong, unambiguous message that Mr. Khan’s vaccination two days prior to his Covid-19 test in no way means the vaccine is not effective. In fact, as Minister Asad Umar clarified, it is certain that the prime minister was infected before being vaccinated – a very likely scenario given that Mr. Khan was seen at events and meetings that week without a face covering. His testing positive for Covid-19 will fuel vaccine skepticism, and it is imperative the government make it clear when and how the vaccine takes effect and that caution is still necessary.
As cases rapidly climb, there is speculation that a national
lockdown is being considered. Given the spike in positivity, increased hospital
admissions and several patients in critical care, this may be inevitable. But
it is important to understand that it was avoidable. The past few months have
marked a shocking and careless approach to the spread of the virus, as the
country’s public gatherings and commercial activities were allowed to resume at
full throttle. Prevention protocols, especially wearing a face covering, are
ignored even by some key government figures – a deeply disappointing reality
given how fast the new Covid-19 strain is know to spread. How can the
authorities expect members of the public to be responsible and observe SOPs if
they themselves are not strict about following them? It is time for officials
to go beyond appeals and caution about Covid-19 prevention. They must enforce a
strict SOP mandate – one that even top officials are not exempt from. At the
same time, they must encourage people to get vaccinated and be transparent and
accessible when it comes to sharing information about vaccine data.
Fearmongering and anti-vaccination sentiment in the country are a reality that
the government must strive to overcome with an effective communication
strategy. Failure to do so will come at an enormous price.
