Sindh to continue smart lockdown in Karachi

KARACHI: In the wake of the recent upsurge in the number of Delta variant coronavirus cases in the city, the Sindh government on Thursday decided to continue its smart lockdown.

According to the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), the Covid trajectory has entered a critical phase and only a proactive approach could slow the spread considerably within the coming weeks.

“Citywide lockdowns, though administratively convenient, are economically and socioeconomically unsustainable and; therefore, not practicable,” the NCOC said on its website, adding that differentiated approach within a city is possible due to identified variability in disease prevalence in various areas.

“Smart lockdowns; therefore, offer a balanced approach to limit the spread under the circumstances,” it added.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presided over the 26th meeting of the apex committee at the CM House on Wednesday and apprised it that of the 2,672 new cases reported across the province, 2,042 were from Karachi.

Karachi reported 2,042 new cases, of which 744 were from the East district, 475 from South, 404 Central, 209 Korangi, 116 Malir and 94 from the West district.

The chief minister also said, currently, 37,678 patients were under treatment, of them 36,292 were in home isolation, 1,341 at different hospitals and 45 patients in isolation centres. Shah said that the condition of 1,181 patients was stated to be critical, including 93 patients on ventilators.

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) general secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad told BOL News that instead of waiting for the government to announce a strict lockdown, people must follow SOPs and avoid social gatherings.

“[The] people should just stop eating pakoras and fast food for some time and not go outside,” he commented.

The situation was alarming and could spiral out of control like it did in India, he added.

“Vaccine is our only beacon of hope, which everyone should get done at the earliest,” the chief minister said.

He also said the hospitals can no longer sustain the pressure and the people need to realise that everyone has to play his or her role in following the SOPs, avoiding social gatherings and staying at home for the safety of themselves and their loved ones.