Impose 'intermittent lockdowns': WHO tells Pakistan amid rising coronavirus cases
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The letter was addressed to health authorities in Punjab and Sindh which have seen a spurt in coronavirus cases
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in Pakistan, in a letter to Pak authorities, the World Health Organization(WHO) recommended the imposition of “intermittent lockdowns”.
“WHO strongly recommends the government adapt the two weeks off and two weeks on strategy,” WHO's head of Mission in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala said in the letter while stating six conditions for lifting restrictions, including the disease transmission being “under control”, able to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact.
The letter was addressed to health authorities in Punjab and Sindh which have seen a spurt in coronavirus cases.
The COVID-19 cases in Sindh has shot up to over 41,000 cases and Punjab has reported over 40,000 infections. The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan currently stands at over 110, 800. There have been over 2,200 deaths due to the virus in the country.
The WHO recommended establishing preventive measures to contain the virus, including community education. The letter said Pakistan did not meet any of the conditions.
WHO said that it is “extremely important” to develop the capacity to conduct beyond 50,000 tests daily. The country has so far tested a maximum of 24,000 people on a daily basis.