First coronavirus patient dies in Punjab as cases continue to soar

A prisoner in Camp Jail tests positive

LAHORE: The first death owing to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Punjab has been reported as the number of COVID-19 confirmed patients has surged to 265.

A coronavirus patient identified as Afrsayab, 57, died in Lahore on Tuesday. He was a resident of Sheikhupura and admitted last week at Mayo Hospital where he was tested positive for coronavirus. He had no history of travelling abroad but he went to Azad Kashmir last month. The body was handed over to the family and they were advised to adopt precautionary measures during the funeral.

Meanwhile, a confirmed case of coronavirus has been also been reported from Lahore’s Camp Jail where a prisoner was tested positive.

Reportedly, this prisoner was arrested a few days ago after returning from Italy.

The prisoner was at Camp Jail and he informed the administration on March 18 regarding the symptoms of coronavirus while his samples were sent on March 21 and now his test has been declared positive.

Sources revealed that the threat of coronavirus has been increasing in Punjab and the Primary and Secondary Health Department stated that in the last 24 hours, more confirmed patients were reported in different cities.

As per the new confirmed patients' data, 176 patients are those who came from abroad, 59 patients are in Lahore, 12 in Gujarat, three in Jehlum, seven in Gujranwala, one in Faisalabad, one in Mandi Bahuddin, one in Raheem Yar khan and one confirmed patient is in Sargodha.

A spokesman of Primary and Secondary Health Department said that all confirmed patients were separated from suspected patients and the government is providing the best facilities to them.

"We are requesting the public to kindly stay at their homes during the lockdown and adopt precautionary measures, especially those patients who came from abroad should live in isolation at their homes and if they have symptoms of coronavirus then they should move to hospitals,” said a spokesman of Primary and Secondary Health.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid visited different hospitals to monitor the arrangements and situations at isolation wards.

"Everyone must stay at home and the elite must take care of the poor around their localities as we are going through a crucial time,” said Dr Rashid.

She maintained that the government has been personally watching the situation at hospitals and providing them maximum facilities. “I also pay tribute to Dr Usama who sacrificed his life during the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” said Dr Rashid.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2020.