Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19): Systematic Analysis of the Situation in Pakistan-Responses and Potential Advancements

Article ID: e140222186305 Pages: 9

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), emerged in Wuhan (China) during December 2019, has now grown into a global scale pandemic that is influencing the civilization of the whole world. As of 25th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released 65 situation reports starting from 23rd January 2020 to 26th March 2020 regarding this new disease. The virus has now been identified and named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-- CoV-2). Total confirmed cases documented across the globe have reached up to 462,684 including 20,834 confirmed deaths from this disease as of 26th March 2020. This study focuses on the essential developments, or response procedures opted by the various countries and presents an elaborative account of the various steps taken by the Pakistan government to respond to this dynamic situation. As a third world country, the fall out of these actions can have severe repercussions. This study attempted to highlight some of the peculiar trials Pakistan is facing in these challenging times and discusses the effect of COVID-19 from the perspective of the third world nation. We believe that this study will provide a realistic picture of the current scenario taking place in Pakistan and will assist the government and concerned institutions/agencies in developing better plans for effectively dealing with this COVID-19 virus.

Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic, Pakistan, infectious diseases, systematic analysis.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Novel, C.P.E.R.E. The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (covid-19) in china Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi= Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi,, 2020, 41(2M), 145.
[2]
Wu, J.T.; Leung, K.; Leung, G.M. Nowcasting and forecasting the potential domestic and international spread of the 2019-nCoV outbreak originating in Wuhan, China: a modelling study. Lancet, 2020, 395(10225), 689-697.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30260-9] [PMID: 32014114]
[3]
Kim, J.Y.; Choe, P.G.; Oh, Y.; Oh, K.J.; Kim, J.; Park, S.J.; Park, J.H.; Na, H.K.; Oh, M.D. The first case of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia imported into korea from wuhan, china: Implication for infection prevention and control measures. J. Korean Med. Sci., 2020, 35(5): e61
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e61] [PMID: 32030925]
[4]
Aftab, N.; Suhail, M. Covid-19: A comparative study of asian and european countries.,
[5]
Xu, J.; Zhao, S.; Teng, T.; Abdalla, A.E.; Zhu, W.; Xie, L.; Wang, Y.; Guo, X. Systematic comparison of two animal-to-human transmitted human coronaviruses: SARS-COV-2 and sars-cov. Viruses, 2020, 12(2), 244.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v12020244] [PMID: 32098422]
[6]
Lai, C-C.; Shih, T-P.; Ko, W-C.; Tang, H-J.; Hsueh, P-R. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): The epidemic and the challenges. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents, 2020, 55(3): 105924
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105924] [PMID: 32081636]
[7]
Chakraborty, I.; Maity, P. COVID-19 outbreak: Migration, effects on society, global environment and prevention. Sci. Total Environ., 2020, 728138882
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138882] [PMID: 32335410]
[8]
Chinazzi, M.; Davis, J.T.; Ajelli, M.; Gioannini, C.; Litvinova, M.; Merler, S.; Pastore Y Piontti, A.; Mu, K.; Rossi, L.; Sun, K.; Viboud, C.; Xiong, X.; Yu, H.; Halloran, M.E.; Longini, I.M., Jr; Vespignani, A. The effect of travel restrictions on the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Science, 2020, 368(6489), 395-400.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aba9757] [PMID: 32144116]
[9]
Shi, H.; Han, X.; Jiang, N.; Cao, Y.; Alwalid, O.; Gu, J.; Fan, Y.; Zheng, C. Radiological findings from 81 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet Infect. Dis., 2020, 20(4), 425-434.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30086-4] [PMID: 32105637]
[10]
Lee, A. Wuhan novel coronavirus (covid-19): Why global control is challenging? Public health, 2020, 179(A1)
[11]
Arcgis: Coronavirus covid-19 global cases by the center for systems science and engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[12]
Wu, Z.; McGoogan, J.M. Characteristics of and important lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) outbreak in china: Summary of a report of 72 314 cases from the chinese center for disease control and prevention. JAMA, 2020, 323(13), 1239-1242.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.2648]
[13]
Nkengasong, J.N.; Mankoula, W. Looming threat of COVID-19 infection in Africa: act collectively, and fast. Lancet, 2020, 395(10227), 841-842.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30464-5] [PMID: 32113508]
[14]
Wang, L.; Wang, Y.; Ye, D.; Liu, Q. A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (covid-19) based on current evidence. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents, 2020.106137
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106137] [PMID: 32826129]
[15]
Singhal, T. A review of coronavirus disease-2019 (covid-19). Indian J. Pediatr., 2020, 87(4), 281-286.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12098-020-03263-6] [PMID: 32166607]
[16]
Di Gennaro, F.; Pizzol, D.; Marotta, C.; Antunes, M.; Racalbuto, V.; Veronese, N.; Smith, L. Coronavirus diseases (covid-19) current status and future perspectives: A narrative review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 17(8), 2690.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082690] [PMID: 32295188]
[17]
Mizumoto, K.; Kagaya, K.; Chowell, G. Early epidemiological assessment of the transmission potential and virulence of coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) in wuhan city: China, january-february, 2020. medRxiv, 2020.
[18]
Naik, S.S.; Gowda, G.S.; Shivaprakash, P.; Subramaniyam, B.A.; Manjunatha, N.; Muliyala, K.P.; Reddi, V.S.K.; Kumar, C.N.; Math, S.B.; Gangadhar, B.N. Homeless people with mental illness in India and COVID-19. Lancet Psychiatry, 2020, 7(8), e51-e52.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30286-8] [PMID: 32711714]
[19]
Bordi, L.; Nicastri, E.; Scorzolini, L.; Di Caro, A.; Capobianchi, M.R.; Castilletti, C.; Lalle, E. On Behalf Of Inmi Covid-Study Group And Collaborating Centers. Differential diagnosis of illness in patients under investigation for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Italy, February 2020. Euro Surveill., 2020, 25(8): 2000170
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.8.2000170] [PMID: 32127123]
[20]
Ameen, K.; Gorman, G. Information and digital literacy: A stumbling block to development? Libr. Manage., 2009.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01435120910927565]
[21]
Arcgis: Coronavirus (covid-19). https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd (Assessed on March 23, 2020).
[22]
Diplo-Mag: Pakistan sends first consignment of aid to help china fight deadly coronavirus. https://diplo-mag.com/coronavirus-pakistan-sends-first-consignment-of-aid-to-help-china-meet-growing-needs-of-medical-gears/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[23]
NEWS, I.T.: Dealing with covid-19 in pakistan. thenews.com.pk/print/629602-dealing-with-covid-19-in-pakistan (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[24]
PID: In the backdrop of corona virus, caa must assure airlines to get health declaration form filled from passenger: Hassan nasir jamy, secretary avaition. pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/13137 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[25]
PID: Passengers entering pakistan will be required to submit a health declaration form. pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/13144 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[26]
Times, D. Pakistan opens taftan border to allow return of 300 citizens. dailytimes.com.pk/567290/pakistan-opens-taftan-border-to-allow-return-of-300-citizens/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[27]
AMERICA, V.O.: Pakistan detects first coronavirus cases, links to iran outbreak. https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/pakistan-detects-first-coronavirus-cases-links-iran-outbreak (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[28]
Today, B. Panic in pakistan after fifth confirmed coronavirus case. https://www.businesstoday.in/current/world/panic-in-pakistan-after-fifth-confirmed-coronavirus-case/story/397468.html (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[29]
News, I.T. Coronavirus reaches pakistan. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/620257-coronavirus-reaches-pakistan (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[30]
Nation, T. Corona patients at pims stable, recovering: Hospital spokesperson. https://nation.com.pk/03-Mar-2020/corona-patients-at-pims-stable-recovering-hospital-spokesperson (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[31]
Nation, T. Pakistan decides to close chaman border till march 9. https://nation.com.pk/02-Mar-2020/chaman-border-to-remain-shut-till-march-9-in-wake-of-coronavirus (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[33]
Health, N.I.O. Nih along with dho, feltp and epi gwadar, trained the medical staff and border security forces regarding covid-19 response at pak-iran border gwadar., https://www.nih.org.pk/author/support/page/4/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[34]
News, D. The first locally-transmitted case of the corona virus in pakistan., https://www.dawnnews.tv/news/1122234 Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[35]
PID: Pr no. 120 http://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/13322 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[36]
MNHSRC: List of designated hospitals provinces/ region wise. http://www.nhsrc.gov.pk/NewsDetail/NDFlMDM0NWEtZmQzNi00NTZkLTg5MDItODlkMzc5MjU1NjVh (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[37]
Aalmiakhbar: AJK PM directs to convert pm house into quarantine centre for suspected cases. https://aalmiakhbar.com/archives/109428 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[38]
Tribune: 1,000 pilgrims dispatched back to home provinces. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2179024/1-1000-pilgrims-dispatched-back-home-provinces/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[39]
WHO: Coronavirus disease (covid-19) pandemic. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[40]
News, T. Sindh under lockdown for next 15 days., https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/633180-sindh-under-lockdown-for-next-15-days (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[41]
Reliefweb: Pakistan: Covid-19 – situation update as of 25th of march 2020 https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-covid-19-situation-update-25th-march-2020 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[42]
Reliefweb: Pakistan: Covid-19 – situation update as of 26th of march 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-covid-19-situation-update-26th-march-2020 (Assessed on March 26, 2020).
[43]
Gisanddata: Coronavirus covid-19 global cases by the center for systems science and engineering (CSSE) at johns hopkins university (JHU). https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 (Assessed on March 26, 2020)
[44]
Ng, M-Y.; Lee, E.Y.; Yang, J.; Yang, F.; Li, X.; Wang, H.; Lui, M.M-s.; Lo, C.S-Y.; Leung, B.; Khong, P-L. Imaging profile of the covid-19 infection: Radiologic findings and literature review. Radiology. Cardiothoracic Imaging, 2020, 2(1): e200034
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/ryct.2020200034]
[45]
Yang, Z.; Zeng, Z.; Wang, K.; Wong, S.S.; Liang, W.; Zanin, M.; Liu, P.; Cao, X.; Gao, Z.; Mai, Z.; Liang, J.; Liu, X.; Li, S.; Li, Y.; Ye, F.; Guan, W.; Yang, Y.; Li, F.; Luo, S.; Xie, Y.; Liu, B.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, S.; Wang, Y.; Zhong, N.; He, J. Modified SEIR and AI prediction of the epidemics trend of COVID-19 in China under public health interventions. J. Thorac. Dis., 2020, 12(3), 165-174.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.02.64] [PMID: 32274081]
[46]
Asia.Nikkei: Stuck in wuhan: Pakistani students' cry for help falls on deaf ears. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Stuck-in-Wuhan-Pakistani-students-cry-for-help-falls-on-deaf-ears (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[47]
Guardian: Please evacuate us: 800 pakistan students plead for help to escape wuhan. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/13/800-pakistani-students-plead-for-help-to-escape-wuhan-coronavirus (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[48]
Zhang, J.; Wu, W.; Zhao, X.; Zhang, W. Recommended psychological crisis intervention response to the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in china: A model of west china hospital. Precis. Clin. Med, 2020.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pcmedi/pbaa006]
[49]
PID: Pr no. 157 visit of pakistan embassy officers to wuhan city. http://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/13073 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[50]
Tribune: Govt to brief parents of pakistani students stranded in china on feb 19. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2157981/1-govt-brief-parents-pakistani-students-stranded-china-feb-19/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[51]
Tabletmag: How iran became a global vector of infection for covid-19. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/iran-coronavirus-covid-19 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[52]
Theatlantic: Iran has far more coronavirus cases than it is letting on. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/irans-coronavirus-problem-lot-worse-it-seems/607663/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[53]
Hu, Z.; Song, C.; Xu, C.; Jin, G.; Chen, Y.; Xu, X.; Ma, H.; Chen, W.; Lin, Y.; Zheng, Y.; Wang, J.; Hu, Z.; Yi, Y.; Shen, H. Clinical characteristics of 24 asymptomatic infections with COVID-19 screened among close contacts in Nanjing, China. Sci. China Life Sci., 2020, 63(5), 706-711.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11427-020-1661-4] [PMID: 32146694]
[54]
Takian, A.; Raoofi, A.; Kazempour-Ardebili, S. COVID-19 battle during the toughest sanctions against Iran. Lancet, 2020, 395(10229), 1035-1036.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30668-1] [PMID: 32199073]
[55]
Deutsche.Welle: Coronavirus: Is pakistan taking covid-19 too lightly? https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-is-pakistan-taking-covid-19-too-lightly/a-52824403 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[56]
WHO. Who scales-up support to covid-19 reference hospital in islamabad as three more cases are confirmed in pakistan., http://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[57]
Aljazeera: Coronavirus: Inside pakistan's taftan quarantine camp. https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/newsfeed/2020/03/coronavirus-pakistan-taftan-quarantine-camp-200323110255493.html (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[58]
Aljazeera: Pakistan's spike in coronavirus cases raises quarantine concerns. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-spike-coronavirus-cases-raises-quarantine-concerns-200316090946936.html (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[59]
Fridaytimes: Who is responsible for the disaster in taftan? https://www.thefridaytimes.com/who-is-responsible-for-the-disaster-in-taftan/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[60]
Arabnews.pk. Pakistan’s border quarantine errors spark concern as coronavirus cases surge., https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1643091/pakistan (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[61]
Theguardian: Pakistan coronavirus camp: No facilities, no humanity. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/19/pakistan-corheguardianonavirus-camp-no-facilities-no-humanity (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[62]
Tribune: Taftan isn’t sukkur, balochistan cm hits back at critics https://tribune.com.pk/story/2179880/1-taftan-isnt-sukkur-balochistan-cm-hits-back-critics/?amp=1 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[63]
News.tv: CM balochistan responds to criticism on handling of people at taftan. https://mmnews.tv/cm-balochistan-responds-to-criticism-on-handling-of-people-at-taftan/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[64]
Busniess.express: CM Kamal responds to ghani criticism over lack of facilities at quarantine. https://www.bexpress.com.pk/2020/03/cm-kamal-responds-to-ghani-criticism-over-lack-of-facilities-at-quarantine/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[65]
PID: Radio pakistan will hold special talk on 'corona virus’ on daily basis. http://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/13330 (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[66]
NIH. National institute of health., https://www.nih.org.pk/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[67]
DRAP. Drug regulatory authority of pakistan., https://www.dra.gov.pk/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[68]
DCHE. http://www.doche.gov.pk/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[69]
MNHSRC: Ministry of national health services regulations and coordination http://www.nhsrc.gov.pk/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[70]
COVID http://covid.gov.pk/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[71]
Times, T.N. ‘God will protect us’: Coronavirus spreads through an already struggling pakistan. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/world/asia/pakistan-coronavirus-tablighi-jamaat.html (Assessed on March 26, 2020).
[72]
Economist, T. India and pakistan try to keep a fifth of humanity at home., https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/03/26/india-and-pakistan-try-to-keep-a-fifth-of-humanity-at-home (Assessed on March 26, 2020).
[73]
Statista: Pakistan: Literacy rate from 2006 to 2017, total and by gender. https://www.statista.com/statistics/572781/literacy-rate-in-pakistan/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[74]
Ahmad, S.; Shrama, S.; Shukla, A.K.; Pant, B.; Tripathi, M.K. The efficacy of islamic prayer (namaz) as spiritual, psychological and physical well being to health. International J. Contemporary Microbiol., 2015, 1(2), 33-37.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/2395-1796.2015.00041.1]
[75]
Kakepoto, H.; Brohi, A.A. Problems in sociological and social science research: A case of developing countries with special focus on pakistan; Asia Pacific-Annual Research Journal of Far East & South East Asia, 2019, p. 31.
[76]
Tribune: March 21: Sindh decides to go into total lockdown, calls army in aid of civil power https://tribune.com.pk/story/2180737/1-live-nationwide-coronavirus-tally-crosses-470-pm-imran-urges-calm/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[77]
News18: Coronavirus: Pakistan pm imran khan rules out complete lockdown, says it will create chaos. https://www.news18.com/news/world/coronavirus-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-rules-out-complete-lockdown-says-it-will-create-chaos-2546685.html (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[78]
Recorder, B. PM Imran says pakistan does not have capacity to opt for lockdown., https://www.brecorder.com/2020/03/22/ 582458/pm-imran-addresses-nation-on-coronavirus-situation/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[79]
Blogs.tribune: Pakistan can’t afford a political crisis during a pandemic. https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/94903/pakistan-cant-afford-a-political-crisis-during-a-pandemic/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[80]
Tribune: PM Imran goes offline without listening to opposition leaders. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2184420/1-pm-imran-goes-offline-without-listening-opposition-leaders/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[81]
Bolnews: Panadol tablets treats coronavirus: Dr Yasmin Rashid. https://www.bolnews.com/pakistan/2020/03/panadol-tablets-treats-coronavirus-dr-yasmin-rashid/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020)
[82]
TV, S.: Infectious diseases specialist debunks punjab governor chaudhry sarwar’s coronavirus ‘cure. https://www.samaa.tv/news/pakistan/2020/03/infectious-diseases-specialist-debunks-punjab-governor-chaudhry-sarwars-coronavirus-cure/ (Assessed on March 25, 2020).
[83]
Wang, C.; Pan, R.; Wan, X.; Tan, Y.; Xu, L.; Ho, C.S.; Ho, R.C. Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (covid-19) epidemic among the general population in china. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 17(5), 1729.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051729] [PMID: 32155789]
[84]
Xiao, C. A novel approach of consultation on 2019 novel coronavirus (covid-19)-related psychological and mental problems: Structured letter therapy. Psychiatry Investig., 2020, 17(2), 175-176.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0047] [PMID: 32093461]