WHO Advised Pakistan Reimpose Intermittent lockdowns as COVID-19 Cases Grow Rapidly

The World Health Organization has urged Pakistani authorities to reimpose “intermittent lockdowns” of targeted regions to restrain the spread of the virus, asserting the country did not match the global body’s requirements for lifting restrictions.

A surge of new cases has struck the South Asian country after the government lifted its lockdown on May 9, indicating economic stresses. A total of 113,702 cases and 2,255 fatalities have been reported as of Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

In letters issued by the WHO on June 7 to health authorities of Pakistan’s two most populated provinces, Punjab and Sindh, it emphasized the necessity to alleviate the jeopardy of the health system collapses.

More than one in five people tested positive for COVID-19 over the last two weeks, matched with one in 10 before the lockdown was raised and government statistics revealed.

“WHO greatly advises the government adopt the two weeks off and two weeks on method,” stated the letter signed by WHO’s Head of Mission in Pakistan, Dr. Palitha Mahipala.

It was not instantly clear if the same information was given to other provinces or the federal authority.

The letter stated the WHO suggests six conditions for lifting stipulations, including the disease transmission being “under control,” being able to detect, test, quarantine and tackle every case and trace every contact, essential areas having fixed preventive standards, and societies being instructed, engaged and empowered to “live under a new normal.”

Pakistan met none of the requirements, the letter stated.

Punjab and Sindh governments ratified the WHO’s concerns and answered the provincial committees would address the instructions.

The letter said that it is “extremely important” to develop the capability to conduct over 50,000 tests every day.

Pakistan, a nation of over 220 million people, has tested a maximum of 24,000 persons daily.