Afghanistan has witnessed a record jump in the number of coronavirus infections this week, touching almost 1000 on Friday, and authorities there have ordered to close down schools for two weeks. 

At least 16 out of total 34 provinces in Afghanistan have recorded a sudden spike in Covid cases, reported TOLOnews. The Ministry of Health has ordered to close down schools and universities in the 16 provinces, including in the capital, Kabul, for two week period. 

The positivity rate in the country is around 25 percent, even when they are testing just 4000 people across the country. 

Significantly, the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus, the one responsible for India’s disastrous Covid surge, is believed to be the reason behind the surge in Afghanistan. Significantly, the country has not banned flights from India even after the situation went horrible there in India a few weeks ago.  

A war-stricken country with 70 percent of its population below the poverty line and nearly non-existent health infrastructure beyond Kabul, Afghanistan might find it difficult to manage the impending Covid crisis in the coming days. 

Meanwhile, experts in neighboring Pakistan, are also concerned. The country shares a long 2780 kilometers of border with Afghanistan. With their economies interlinked, thousands of people cross the Af-PAK almost on daily basis, increasing the risk of spread in Pakistan. 

Also, Pakistan on Friday has reported the first case of the B.1.617.2 variant.  

(SAM)