Infection to Recovery; COVID-19 in Pakistan and its Implications

Abstract

The New pandemic is hitting all around the world in different manner. The infection rate, prevalence and severity is not patronized in many countries. Pakistan is now attaining the peak in its cases. Around 108,317 confirmed cases are present in Pakistan and 71,127 are currently active cases1. The recovery rate is 32%. The dangerous situation about the infection prevalence is that most of the people either are asymptomatic of having mild symptoms. An estimation release from Primary Health Department of Punjab claims that almost 670,000 cases are asymptomatic in only Lahore city 2. This correspondence is about an infected family of 5 people 3 males and 2 females in Lahore, Pakistan. Who were exposed with virus and one after one got the infection, the two males deceased but rest of family member are recovered.

The New pandemic is hitting all around the world in different manner. The infection rate, prevalence and severity is not patronized in many countries. Pakistan is now attaining the peak in its cases. Around 108,317 confirmed cases are present in Pakistan and 71,127 are currently active cases (Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, n.d.). The recovery rate is 32%. The dangerous situation about the infection prevalence is that most of the people either are asymptomatic of having mild symptoms. An estimation release from Primary Health Department of Punjab claims that almost 670,000 cases are asymptomatic in only Lahore city (Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, n.d.). This correspondence is about an infected family of 5 people 3 males and 2 females in Lahore, Pakistan. Who were exposed with virus and one after one got the infection, the two males deceased but rest of family member are recovered. The particular family is depicted the story of mostly reported cases in Pakistan. There are 3 major factors which are prevailing and causing death toll near 2172 (Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, n.d.).

In Pakistan, Infection is more prevalent to Men as compared to Women, secondly, Co-morbidity is clear; those patients who are already suffering from Cardiovascular and Respiratory diseases, thirdly anemic and iron deficient patients are more at risk. According to Histopathological Reports Most of the patients experienced the low Hb level, low zinc level and vitamin A and D deficiency.

This observatory is about 5 patients who felt the mild symptoms of COVID-19 like fever and itching in throat after attending the funeral of a relative. The physician suggested them to get COVID-19 PCR based test which came detected. Within 7 days’ patients felt severe itching in throat and de-hydration during isolation at home. Meanwhile the RT-PCR tests were with mild symptoms like fever, sore throat and their physician recommended them to keep in isolation and prescribe the following measures for first 5 days; Azithromycin (Zetro), Montelukast sodium Tablet (Flaoid), Ascard 75 mg, Vitamin C supplements and Steam inhalation. This prescription is standard and use all over the Pakistan. During the 5 days’ patients kept isolated at home and getting steam inhalation along with medications. The patients were told to do mild breathing exercises and kept their record of oximeter readings. The patient ARF on 7th day got severe coughing and pulse oximeter reading went to 65 with BP 108/70 and got hospitalized. On 8th day the patients transferred to Ventilator and 2 (males)of them got expired.

it was observed in most of the patients with age range of 25 years - 40 years to be recovered on 15th day with negative RT-PCR report. Till now, the recovery rate in Pakistan is slightly good as usually patients feel less symptoms on day 10th. Still Pakistan is facing test positivity rate at 24%. There is capacity to perform 20, 000 PCR tests on daily basis in local hospitals. Other main factors for declaring 4rth most dangerous country for COVID-19 infection are; poverty, economical disequilibrium, lack of knowledge, unwillingness of people to cooperate with government policies, and early ease in lockdown by Government.

In a letter to the Punjab Health Minister Pakistan, the UN health agency said that the virus had spread all over the country, and a large number of cases had been recorded in big cities. The cases had increased sharply after the ease of lockdown. Due to this, Pakistan ranks among top-10 most affected countries.

The letter appreciated the Pakistan’s efforts in fighting Covid-19, but warned that recent statistics suggest its current strategy was not paying off. It recommended the government adopt a 2-week-on, 2-week-off lockdown, as it offered the most chance of continuing economic activities while ensuring public health.

There is need to abide by the rules and regulations settled by WHO otherwise Health of People of Pakistan may remain at risk for coming 2 months.