Herd immunity impossible sans vaccine
International experts concur that it is unlikely COVID-19 will be entirely wiped out as, without any vaccine, populations will not be able to develop high enough immunity levels to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity is attained when enough people of a population have developed strong antibodies to a virus. As such, the virus eventually peters out as it cannot spread as far and as quickly as before.
COVID-19 however is spreading too slowly to inculcate herd immunity. 50% to 80% of a population needs to be infected by the disease in order to develop strong antibodies post-recovery. However, in the case of the novel coronavirus disease, a few percentages of populations across COVID-19 have contracted the virus and developed an immune response to it.
However, initial studies have shown that coronavirus antibodies remain active within a recovered individual for a few months after infection. And as reports of reinfections emerge in various regions of the world, it is unlikely that natural immunity could be developed against the disease.
11,000 rescuers on alert
Punjab Emergency Service places 11,130 rescuers on high alert in 36 districts across Punjab during Eid al-Azha holidays. Rescuers will be on standby for COVID-19 and other emergencies.
Congo virus threat during Eid
Infectious diseases experts warn of an uptick in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) or congo virus infections during Eid al-Azha and urge strict precaution. With a fatality rate of up to 40%, the CCFH virus enters one’s bloodstream via tick bites or contact with the blood and tissue of slaughtered animals. CCFH has been present in Pakistan for the past 20 years, however, the disease usually surges during Eid al-Azha when droves of cattle are brought into populated centers.
Clerics to aid SOP enforcement
Clerics in Lakki Marwat collaborate with district administration of creating awareness and urging people to follow SOPs during Eid in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. District authorities have sought out the support of local religious heads due to their role in promoting positive social behavior, and locals’ readiness to listen and pay heed to clerics.
COVID-19 deaths declining
Coronavirus-related deaths on a steady decline in Pakistan, with only 24 deaths recorded on Friday, July 24. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported one death, taking the province’s total case fatality count 1,170. Meanwhile, Islamabad and Rawalpindi reported no COVID-19 fatalities.
On the other hand, coffin sales are on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to SOP requirements for virus-related burials.