ABBREVIATIONS:
- COVID-19: Corona virus Disease- 2019
- CPEC: China Pakistan Economic Corridor
- WHO: World Health Organization
- NIH-Pakistan: National Institute of Health - Pakistan
INTRODUCTION: Currently, what has now been declared as a pandemic, a severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in a
livestock market in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, on December 12’2019
(Huang et al., 2020; Li et al, 2020). The first case of this pandemic
was presented with pneumonia of unexplained cause, and by December 29
’2019 there were 27 cases that presented with similar signs and
symptoms, out of which seven were in a critical situation. After ruling
out influenza and other possible coronaviruses, it was declared that a
novel zoonotic coronavirus had been the cause of this recent outbreak
(Rothan and Byrareddy, 2020). By January 30’2020, the outbreak of this
novel virus had been so rapid and far reaching, that World Health
Organization (WHO) announced it as a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern [PHEIC] (World Health Organization, 2020). On
February 12’2020, WHO termed the disease triggered by this novel
coronavirus, as Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVID-19] (World Health
Organization, 2020).
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December, the disease has spread on to
affect many countries around the globe. By April 2,’2020, global
confirmed positive cases reached 857,641, with 42,006 deaths, and 206
countries, areas or territories battling SARS-CoV-2. Although China was
severely affected, as it was the center of outbreak of COVID-19, the
outbreak is more concentrated now in North America, Europe and South
East Asia. By April 02’2020, China reported 82,875 confirmed cases and
3,335 deaths. 82,872 COVID-19 positive cases, with 3,327 total deaths.
While some other countries like United States of America [USA],
Italy and Spain have surpassed China in terms of number of diseased
people and deaths. According to WHO, United States of America was the
most affected country, totaling 187,302 reported positive cases, and
3,846 deaths. While Italy was the second most affected country with
cumulative 105,792 lab tested positive cases, and 12,430 deaths. Spain
had ranked number third with 94,417 cases and 8,189 deaths. In South
Asia, Islamic Republic of Iran was facing a major outbreak with total of
47593 cases, and 3,036 deaths (World Health Organization COVID-19
Dashboard, n.d.).
Pakistan is also fighting this novel corona virus COVID-19. A disease,
for which there is currently no treatment nor vaccination available, it
is a great challenge for a developing country already facing economic
crisis, like Pakistan, to tackle a pandemic that has brought many
developed countries to its knees. Hence, the purpose of this study is to
collect, summarize, and analyze the day wise situation of Covid-19 in
Pakistan, as well as measures taken by the government of Pakistan to
prevent and control it. So, the aim of this study is to forecast
trajectory of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan to bring the attention of the
governing bodies to the alarming situation of COVID-19 growth in
Pakistan. Through its summarized data, this study aims to provide
assistance to national and international strategists to evaluate the
current strategy against COVID-19 in Pakistan and propose other if
required. This study also aims to assist other researchers to compare
the COVID-19 epidemiology in Pakistan with the world, and in future to
conduct After Action Review (AAR) of the measures taken, and the best
practices adopted against COVID-19.