Punjab’s virus tally tops 35,000
Govt struggles to accommodate patients in hospitals
A Reuters file image.
LAHORE:
A massive increase is being witnessed in coronavirus patients across Punjab owing to the casual attitude of the masses towards this highly contagious viral disease.
Official data highlighted on Saturday that the influx of coronavirus patients has doubled in Punjab since June 1, as the number of confirmed cases surpassed 35,300.
The official statistic showed that over 2,000 new coronavirus patients were reported in the province on each of the past two days. So far around 8,000 coronavirus patients have recovered, while 659 have lost the battle against the viral disease in Punjab.
Lahore has been declared as the epicentre of the disease besides other big cities like Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan, where the government has launched a crackdown against violations of safety precautions.
Hundreds of shops and dozens of markets have already been closed to contain the virus in Punjab and stricter action is being expected from Monday.
In the provincial capital, the local administration sealed over 260 shops and imposed heavy penalties over different
violations of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed by the government. Similar action was taken in other big cities across Punjab to check further spread of the disease.
Following the rapid influx of patients, the government is trying to increase medical treatment facilities. On the directives of the Punjab Health Department, the facilities for the treatment of coronavirus patients at the Lahore General Hospital have been further enhanced.
The hospital has added 20 beds at the department of pulmonology to enable effective treatment and care of critically ill patients of coronavirus.
Acting Medical Superintendent of Lahore General Hospital Dr Rana Muhammad Shafiq said the duties of the staff, including doctors, have been assigned in three shifts. Dr Laila Shafiq has been appointed as the Administrative Focal Person to monitor the performance of the unit, while Dr Huma will oversee the clinical affairs.
Postgraduate Medical Institute Principal Prof Al-Fareed Zafar underlined that all available resources were being utilised for the treatment of coronavirus patients. He said every doctor is trying his level best to help patients in coping with this difficult disease and would continue to provide medical services on the frontline round the clock along with the nurses and paramedical staff.
Earlier on Friday, health experts highlighted in a meeting that on the directives of the cabinet committee concerned, an initial trial of drug Actemra had been conducted at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), Mayo and Services hospitals. The medicine showed positive results, which are being further valuated.
They pointed out that the drug could only be given to patients in critical condition with specific symptoms on the advice of doctors, whereas ordinary coronavirus patients would not be allowed to use it. The experts further said recommendations on the use of the drug would be submitted to the cabinet committee and after final approval it could be administered to critical patients with specific symptoms on the prescription of doctors.
The meeting also reviewed, in detail, the situation of coronavirus and implementation of SOPs for its prevention. The chief secretary directed all administrative and police officers to ensure that precautionary measures were implemented in the bazaars and shopping malls, saying that no compromise could be made on this important matter as “protection of public health and precious human lives is our prime responsibility”.
He appealed to the people to extend full cooperation to the administration and law enforcement agencies in implementing the SOPs so that the deadly epidemic could be controlled.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2020.
A massive increase is being witnessed in coronavirus patients across Punjab owing to the casual attitude of the masses towards this highly contagious viral disease.
Official data highlighted on Saturday that the influx of coronavirus patients has doubled in Punjab since June 1, as the number of confirmed cases surpassed 35,300.
The official statistic showed that over 2,000 new coronavirus patients were reported in the province on each of the past two days. So far around 8,000 coronavirus patients have recovered, while 659 have lost the battle against the viral disease in Punjab.
Lahore has been declared as the epicentre of the disease besides other big cities like Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan, where the government has launched a crackdown against violations of safety precautions.
Hundreds of shops and dozens of markets have already been closed to contain the virus in Punjab and stricter action is being expected from Monday.
In the provincial capital, the local administration sealed over 260 shops and imposed heavy penalties over different
violations of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed by the government. Similar action was taken in other big cities across Punjab to check further spread of the disease.
Following the rapid influx of patients, the government is trying to increase medical treatment facilities. On the directives of the Punjab Health Department, the facilities for the treatment of coronavirus patients at the Lahore General Hospital have been further enhanced.
The hospital has added 20 beds at the department of pulmonology to enable effective treatment and care of critically ill patients of coronavirus.
Acting Medical Superintendent of Lahore General Hospital Dr Rana Muhammad Shafiq said the duties of the staff, including doctors, have been assigned in three shifts. Dr Laila Shafiq has been appointed as the Administrative Focal Person to monitor the performance of the unit, while Dr Huma will oversee the clinical affairs.
Postgraduate Medical Institute Principal Prof Al-Fareed Zafar underlined that all available resources were being utilised for the treatment of coronavirus patients. He said every doctor is trying his level best to help patients in coping with this difficult disease and would continue to provide medical services on the frontline round the clock along with the nurses and paramedical staff.
Earlier on Friday, health experts highlighted in a meeting that on the directives of the cabinet committee concerned, an initial trial of drug Actemra had been conducted at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), Mayo and Services hospitals. The medicine showed positive results, which are being further valuated.
They pointed out that the drug could only be given to patients in critical condition with specific symptoms on the advice of doctors, whereas ordinary coronavirus patients would not be allowed to use it. The experts further said recommendations on the use of the drug would be submitted to the cabinet committee and after final approval it could be administered to critical patients with specific symptoms on the prescription of doctors.
The meeting also reviewed, in detail, the situation of coronavirus and implementation of SOPs for its prevention. The chief secretary directed all administrative and police officers to ensure that precautionary measures were implemented in the bazaars and shopping malls, saying that no compromise could be made on this important matter as “protection of public health and precious human lives is our prime responsibility”.
He appealed to the people to extend full cooperation to the administration and law enforcement agencies in implementing the SOPs so that the deadly epidemic could be controlled.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2020.