LAHORE: There is no let up in the spread of Covid-19 as Punjab has reported 502 fresh cases and nine deaths during the last 24 hours taking the provincial tally of cases to 1,831 and deaths to 2429.
The province has reported more than 500 cases for the first time since July 15, 2020, when 553 cases were recorded. During the last 24 hours, 11,399 tests were conducted while with 21 more recoveries, the provincial tally of recovered patients has reached 97,672.
As many as 634 recoveries were reported across Pakistan during the last 24 hours taking the tally of recovered patients to 320,065 showing the recovery rate as 91.9 percent.
Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar in a statement said the citizens should follow corona SOPs as the number of patients is increasing due to violation of SOPs. The CM said the movement will be restricted through smart lockdown in affected areas.
In the areas where smart lockdown is imposed in Lahore, police are restricting movement of the people apart from advising the people to wear masks and observe social distancing. On the other hand, the federal government has directed all the provinces to start Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for diagnosis of Covid-19.
The provincial governments have been asked to make procurement of the World Health Organization-approved RAT kits to start testing process from November 15.
“Rapid antigen tests are commonly used in the diagnosis of respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses and respiratory viruses. RAT is being widely used across the world to diagnose SARS-CoV-2.”
Moreover, the National Institute of Health (NIH) would extend cooperation to the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in expanding diagnostic as well as research and training facilitates in the institute. The IPH would be declared provincial wing of NIH for testing and other purposes for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be inked between the institutions very soon.
Chief Executive National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, Maj Gen Dr Aamir Ikram held a meeting with Chairman Board of Management, IPH, Lt Gen Khalid Maqbool (retd).
Khalid Maqbool stressed the need of close linkage between the two institutions and collaboration for effective disease control efforts and to start working on vaccines preparation project.
Chief Executive NIH, Maj Gen Dr Aamir Ikram, said the NIH is ready to extend all technical assistance to provide anti-microbial resistance and other diagnostic facilities at IPH. He informed that NIH has done great services to the nation during Covid-19 epidemic and vowed that both institutions would work together to launch vaccines project.
Furthermore, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has ordered the continuation of routine health services in all public sector hospitals despite surge in Covid-19 cases in Punjab.
In a briefing, Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said, “The second wave of corona pandemic has hit the world. Arrangements are in place at all hospitals of Punjab. A new helpline will be set up for information of Covid-19 under treatment patients. The outdoor services are not being closed down.”
According to the recommendations of the corona expert advisory group, the SOPS are being enforced in letter and spirit. A thorough review of the facilities at Children Hospital has been undertaken. The administrators of all public sectors hospitals will be submitting the status of available facilities for Covid-19 treatment within the next two days.
In another development, the Punjab government has also recommended to keep marriage halls open across the province with strict implementation of revised coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
As per recommendations, it has been recommended to reduce function time to only two hours with food being provided in disposable boxes. Marriage halls will also display number of guests allowed in the hall after 50 percent reduction in the capacity while all the guests will be required to wear face masks.
The provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal has called a meeting of organizations of businessmen where they will be asked to ensure mandatory wearing of face masks. Punjab will also present its recommendations in NCOC meeting, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020