Punjab begins smart swab sampling

The provincial government has started smart swab sampling to detect coronavirus cases in different parts of the province.

Under the new project, the samples would be collected randomly from every city of the province on a daily basis.

The samples would be regularly collected from the public spots such as tourist spots, markets, jails as well as orphanage houses.

The district health authorities (DHAs) have been issued directives in this regard too.

The Rawalpindi DHA has been tasked to collect at least 1, 500 samples.

Sources in the Punjab Health Department said that the perception that the coronavirus had subsided was entirely wrong.

People must still follow all precautionary measures and maintain social distancing protocols, the sources added.

Rawalpindi DHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Sohail Ahmed said that all restrictions would remain in place until the government officially announced that the virus has completely ended.

He urged people to follow the SOPs of social distancing, wearing facemasks and using hand sanitisers to prevent resurgence of the pandemic.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2020.