COVID-19 third wave: a challenge for overburdened and underdeveloped healthcare system of Pakistan.

Abstract

To the Editor, Countries around the globe have observed the dynamic pattern of COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality in which the first wave was observed in spring 2020 that considerably moderated during the summer. The second wave emerged in fall 2020, which subsequently decreased in early 2021. But now COVID-19 third wave is on the line with an inclined rate and is considered more infectious in some of the countries [1]. In Pakistan, COVID-19 has caused 630,471 confirmed cases with about 13,863 deaths by 21 March 2021 as shown in Figure (a). The rate of positive cases was highest (23%) in June 2020, which dropped to 1.7% by September 2020. Later, it began to rise, reaching 7.45% in January 2021 and 3% in February 2021. Now it is on the rise again and already reached 8% by 19 March 2021 Figure (b). According to the National Command and Operating Center (NCOC) of Pakistan, COVID-19 cases rose to 22,018 in the last 10 days, which is a 68% increase in the cases from the proceeding 10 days, as shown in Figure c. The author declares there is no conflict of interest.