Corona scare: Punjab govt tightens monitoring of epidemic

CM directs authorities to deploy additional staff at hospitals

LAHORE: Following the reports of two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Karachi and Islamabad, the federal and the provincial governments have further strengthened their monitoring mechanism to keep a check on the epidemic.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired a high-level meeting at Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department to review measures taken to deal with the threat of coronavirus.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned that besides deployment of additional staff of the Punjab Health Department at airports for passengers’ screening, strict monitoring at entry points is ensured.

He told the meeting participants that a cabinet committee was being constituted to review the coronavirus situation. This committee would be comprised of different stakeholders to review measures and monitor the situation on a daily basis.

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Buzdar also approved and ordered immediate procurement of necessary equipment to deal with the coronavirus and added the government has already released Rs236 million for this purpose. He pointed out that the province has a coronavirus diagnostic facility and there was no coronavirus patient in the province.

The chief minister highlighted that an isolation ward of 75 beds has been set up at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and another isolation unit of 35 beds is also set up in Mayo Hospital.

Similarly, isolation ward is established in Services Hospital and such wards are also being set up in the hospitals of northern and southern Punjab.

He also directed the authorities to implement the decisions within 24 hours and a report be submitted to the CM Office. “The situation is normal in Punjab but we will have to remain fully vigilant,” he added.

He asked the line departments to complete their preparations for dealing with any possible situation and implementation on WHO’s SOPs be ensured.

The meeting also decided to launch a vigorous awareness campaign. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare informed meeting participants that 82 thousand cases have been surfaced across the world, including 78,000 in China.

Around 33,000 patients have been recovered, he indicated, adding that an advance control room has been set up. Health Department, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Chughtai Lab have coronavirus diagnostic kits. Provincial ministers Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Samiullah Ch, Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik, Hashim Jawan Bakhat, Mussarat Jamshed Cheema MPA, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home) and others attended the meeting.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Jinnah Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Iftikhar Ahmad said since the origin of the coronavirus was yet to be discovered so there was no vaccine available for this flu-like virus. However, with a little precaution and physical hygiene chances of coronavirus can be minimised.

He advised citizens to frequently wash hands with soap or minimum five times ablution is the best precaution. Coronavirus can live silently for 14 days so it is better to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also issued a list of recommendation for protection against the novel coronavirus. The UN body has pointed out that most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others.

Two coronavirus cases emerge in Pakistan

It has also advised citizens to regularly and thoroughly clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub because it kills viruses that may be on your hands.

The WHO also advised citizens to maintain at least 1-metre (three feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus, if the person coughing has the disease.

It has also advised citizens to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2020.