• Home
• /
• Opinion

Rising Covid-19 cases could pose challenges for govts

While most countries are gradually easing the lockdowns, there are also cases where the Covid-19 cases are spiralling. Australia may seek the help of its military to manage a fresh surge. Some states in the US like Florida, Arizona, Texas are also witnessing an increase in Covid-19 cases. The number of cases in Pakistan are expected to touch 4 million by August. In India, major cities like Delhi and Mumbai have been badly affected as cases have exceeded 70,000 each.
Health authorities are warning that Delhi may see about 500,000 cases by August. These staggering numbers will require war-time preparations to manage patients. It is not merely adequate to convert large stadiums or schools into quarantine centres to isolate patients. Photographs in various newspapers show rows of beds neatly placed next to each other in many cities, but the absence of some basic facilities such as kitchen and medical equipment is conspicuous. These large quarantine centres also need medical equipment, oxygen facilities in deteriorating emergency cases, doctors, nurses and ward boys in large numbers to look after the patients.
The challenges posed by Covid-19 are manifold and are multiplying daily. The leadership of countries must measure up. After all, they volunteered for their jobs, by standing for elections. Now, they must deliver.
-Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India