Covid-19 stalks Punjab yet again

Scores of fresh cases have been reported in major cities

LAHORE:

The Covid-19 situation in Punjab has become alarming once again as 212 new cases of the virus have been reported across the province in the last 48 hours.

In Lahore alone 82 fresh cases have been reported in the last 24 hours while the number of patients is also increasing in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan as well.

Health experts say the situation could worsen during the Eid holidays if people violated the SOPs.

According to details, the Covid-19 situation is once again becoming a matter of concern for the Punjab Health department.

The ratio of corona positive cases has been going up since last week.

The last 48 hours were more alarming as 212 corona positive cases were confirmed in Punjab by the Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, including 82 cases only in Lahore in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Health department has made wearing of masks mandatory for those visiting cattle markets.

The department had put all the hospitals in the province on alert last week, asking them to gear up preparations for dealing with the current situation of Covid-19.

Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan has asked the local district administrations to ensure implementation of wearing of masks at the cattle markets while ordering the departments concerned to provide masks and sanitizers to the vendors.

Sayed Hamad Raza, a spokesman for the Punjab health department, said that the department had been doing its best to handle the situation.

According to the statistics, a total of 507,920 people had contracted the coronavirus in Punjab while 13,574 people died during all the waves of Covid-19.

The health secretary said that people should act responsibly and follow the SOPs as following precautionary measures was the best way to remain safe.

Meanwhile, an important meeting of the Corona Expert Advisory Group was held at the Primary and Secondary Health Care Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan, Additional Secretary Dr. Asim Altaf, DG Health Services Dr. Haroon Jahangir and others.

During the meeting, the minister took a detailed look at the situation of corona across the province.

The CEAG members reviewed the SOPs in connection with the increase in the number of corona cases.

Khawaja Rafique said that medical facilities for corona patients at Punjab government hospitals were reviewed during the CEAG meeting.

He appealed to the people to have the corona booster doses. People must strictly implement all SOPs to prevent corona.

During the CEAG meeting, it was decided to reserve a hospital in Lahore for the patients of corona.

The decision of random testing in cattle markets has been implemented.

It has been decided to activate the corona ward in PKLI.

Beds have been allocated for corona patients in Punjab government hospitals. Facilities for treatment of corona patients in government hospitals of Punjab would be further improved.

It has been decided to increase the number of corona testing in Punjab.

On the occasion of Eidul Azha, people should use masks to avoid corona and ensure social distancing.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2022.