Hussain 
Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development, said on Saturday that if the surge in cases is not controlled, Pakistan’s coronavirus situation would soon cross the levels seen during the first wave last year in June.
He also warned that if the situation remains the same, the government would not have any other option but to impose tougher restrictions.
Umar was addressing the media after chairing a review session at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
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“If the surge in the cases continues at this ongoing rate then in the next few days, we will get beyond the previous spike level and peak set in June last year.
He said he had started receiving alarming messages that hospitals almost packed till the full of their capacity so availability of the beds will now become an issue.
“The reason behind telling you people all this is not to intimidate or arouse fear but to alert the masses so we can decisively act together and follow the set plan of action to confront Covid-19,” he said.
The minister said the government’s foremost priority was to protect the livelihoods of the masses but the rise in cases was alarming and if the trend continues then tougher restrictions would be necessary.
“We have to combat this disease together and defend the country. We have to do it exactly as we did before, in a way that we don’t let the disease to spread to levels in which unfortunately it will deal a blow to lives and livelihoods.
“Our first effort is the protection of livelihoods but as you people are seeing the speed with which the trend is continuing, if we don’t take necessary measures then a very difficult situation can develop and we will have to do further restrictions.” he added
