Decline in burials witnessed at Lahore's graveyards in two months

Over 2,000 burials were made in around 900 graveyards of the provincial metropolis during the months of April and May this year as against about 5,000 burials made during the same period last year.
While the number of causalities due to Covid-19 is on rise across the province, these figures show less number of burials in the provincial metropolis.
As per statistics made available to Business Recorder, over 365 people have died of the Covid-19 in Punjab and they include over 140 in the provincial capital.
During the Eid holidays, around 25 patients died of the virus while over 1,100 others tested positive. The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Punjab has crossed the 20,000 mark, including over 10,000 in Lahore.
With the rise in positive cases of coronavirus, there are apprehensions about shortage of ventilators in the intensive care units (ICUs) of teaching hospitals in Punjab in the coming weeks. However, doctors of teaching hospitals opined that the situation is not as alarming as is being portrayed.
As per the official figures, 1,296 ventilators were available at the state-run teaching hospitals of Punjab. Of them, 40 were non-functional.
Mayo Hospital Chief Executive Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, who is supervising and leading the healthcare arrangements for the coronavirus patients in the state-run health facilities in Lahore, said the coming few days were very critical, the incubation period for Covid-19 after relaxation of lockdown had almost ended while the number of tests was being increased.
"Currently, we are not facing any disturbing situation vis-a-vis availability of facilities for the treatment of critical patients of Covid-19," he said, adding: "The home isolation has eased massive burden on the hospitals, but for the medics, ICUs' management would be the next area of concern due to expected influx of critically-ill Covid-19 patients."
About 500 patients of the Covid-19 are under treatment at both private and government hospitals of Lahore. Of them, 67 were in the ICUs of Lahore's hospitals, 43 in the ICUs of private and 24 in the ICUs of state-run hospitals. Of them, 31 patients are on ventilators, 19 in government and 12 in private hospitals.
Punjab Minister for Health, Dr Yasmin Rashid in a briefing said that availability of ventilators was being ensured in all hospitals across the province.
Chairing a meeting at Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education in Lahore, she reviewed the selection process of members for Provincial Policy Board under Medical Teaching Institutions. She said that academic and career record would also be reviewed for selection of members. During the meeting, members presented their suggestions for search and nomination committee.
Dr Yasmin Rashid said they were doing their best to control epidemics and infectious diseases. "On our part, the government is utilizing all resources, however, I request all people to follow preventive guidelines. I assure you that the government will not leave you alone," she added.
She also reviewed number of the Corona patient in public hospitals and treatment facilities.
On the other hand, during the first two days of Eid, a record 2,818 traffic accidents took place in Punjab in which 27 people were killed and 3,365 were injured in multiple vehicle collisions.
According to DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer, 80 percent of the reported accidents were caused by motorcycles. Of 2,818 accidents, 80 percent were due to motorcycles, as 70 percent of motorcyclists do not even have a driving license.