22 LGH doctors among 35 found infected

Administration shuts orthopaedic ward till Eid holidays

LAHORE: As many as 35 medical, nursing, and paramedical staff, including 22 doctors were tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) at Lahore General Hospital Lahore on Thursday.

Four nursing staff, nine paramedics, and 22 doctors were confirmed as suffering from the disease. All of the health professionals were performing duties in different wards and departments of the hospital. Most of the doctors who were confirmed coronavirus positive were performing duties at the orthopedic ward and at the coronavirus testing laboratory and were engaged patients and doctors’ medical tests.

The hospital administration decided to close down the orthopedic ward and some other departments till the Eid holidays.

The surge in the number of coronavirus cases among the doctors and nursing staff have raised concerns. The Lahore General Hospital is one of the major health facilities of the city. It was the first hospital in Lahore with a coronavirus testing laboratory.

However, the emergence of 35 Covid-19 cases among medical professionals has caused panic among the hospital staff.

“We are taking precautionary measures and have closed the orthopedic ward. The ward will be opened after the Eid holidays. We have the first and the main coronavirus testing lab and the staff is conducting tests on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2020.