ISLAMABAD: With all indicators regarding coronavirus continuously worsening and positivity of cases doubling in the country, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday hinted that armed forces might be deployed for implementation of the Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He also said smart lockdown would be enforced across the country and movement to tourist places curtailed. “During the last few weeks Covid-19 cases and positivity ratio have increased. Our national average of positivity was at around two per cent but now it is touching 4pc. There are some reasons, including violation by people of the SOPs and Delta variant which is more virulent,” he said at a news conference.

The SAPM said compliance with the existing restrictions was necessary, adding that all possible steps would be taken to ensure their implementation. “We appeal to the masses to wear facemask and avoid crowded places. We will enhance the administrative actions for compliance with SOPs and focus will be on big cities and tourist places. We will seek help of all administrative departments, including Pakistan Army. We will also impose smart lockdown across the country and the movement of people will also be curtailed,” he said.

Dr Sultan said that since it was tourism season and a large number of people went to northern areas during summer, only the vaccinated people would be able to go to such places.

Rejecting a perception that the country lacked Covid-19 vaccine, he said there was an ample quantity of the vaccine available in the country and only a few days ago over 450,000 doses had been administered in a single day and over six million doses would arrive in a few days.

“There is no shortage of vaccine. People should get themselves vaccinated as there are only two strategies to control the virus i.e. restrictions and vaccination. I want to repeat that cases are increasing and we need to ensure better implantation of SOPs to curtail the virus,” he added.

According to data of the National Command and Operation Centre, 15 deaths and 1,808 cases were reported in a single day. There were 231 ventilators in use across the country on Monday —18pc in Lahore, 17pc in Islamabad, 15pc in Peshawar and 13pc in Multan.

The data showed that 42pc oxygenated beds were occupied in Skardu, 41pc in Gilgit, 38pc in Swabi and 34pc in Karachi. The number of active cases was 38,622 out of which 2,433 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2021