Authors: Shazia Tahira
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The earliest case of this infection is dated back to 17 November 2019 in Wuhan, China. The virus later spread to other countries all over the world through human-to-human transmission. On 11th March 2020 the WHO declared it a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is contagious in humans. It is the successor to SARS-CoV-1, the strain that caused the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll. The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, most often via small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking. On 26th February, Pakistan confirmed its first two cases of the coronavirus. Lockdown was announced by different provincial governments on 21st march and it remained till 9th of may all over the country. In early June, case numbers began rising far faster. As of June 22nd 2020, Pakistan has 185,034 confirmed cases, Sindh has the highest number of confirmed cases at 71,092 closely followed by Punjab at 68,308. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has 22,633 cases, Islamabad capital territory has 11,219 cases, Balochistan has 9,587 cases, Gilgit Baltistan has 1326 cases, and Azad Kashmir has 869 cases Major cities in Pakistan have the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Males have comparatively high COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Pakistan at 74.06% and 73.92% respectively. The comparatively higher COVID-19 incidence in males seems related to lack of social distancing measures. COVID-19 incidence is highest in 20-40 age group in both genders and 45% of confirmed cases belong to this age group. Also this age range usually lags behind following social distancing measures. Mortality is comparatively less in this age group but this age range can still transmit infection to more vulnerable age groups. Although the age group of 50-69 makes up only 21.61% of COVID-19 confirmed cases, this age range has the highest mortality and constitutes 55.14% of COVID-19 associated deaths as older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Since early June, after the relaxation of lockdown measures there is a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, which also relates to lack of precautionary measures by citizens. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to this virus by maintaining good social distance and proper sanitization.
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