–Free of cost testing kits available in Jinnah Hospital
LAHORE: The coronavirus pandemic is slowly taking over Punjab as 18 new cases were identified in the provincial alone during the last 24 hours, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.
According to statistics received by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Punjab (PSHDP), the total coronavirus patients in Punjab are 246 out of whom 177 are Zaireen from Iran while 52 are locals whereas the rest include two from Multan, three from Rawalpindi, four from Gujrat, three from Jhelum, four from Gujranwala and one from Sargodha.
The hospitals treating patients in Lahore include Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital, General Hospital and Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI).
In Mayo Hospital, 14 cases were confirmed while 13 more were suspected. Similarly, there is one suspected case in each Service and General Hospital while in PKLI, seven patients were confirmed of having coronavirus.
The PSHDP spokesperson said that all confirmed patients were under treatment in isolation wards and were separated from other patients. “All the patients are being given proper treatment and facilities. All doctors are on duty and working to the best of their abilities. The public is requested to adopt and follow all precautionary measures and stay at home. It is important to self-isolate yourself rather than interacting with people. Also, avoid going out to public spaces and markets,” he said.
The government of Punjab has also formed a 12 member corona advisory group based on medical experts who will advise treatments for patients while Allama Iqbal Medical College the former principal professor Mehmood Shaukat would chair the group.
The group would prepare clinical guidelines for all hospitals and also advise on new training for doctors and related staff of both public and private hospitals.
Meanwhile, Jinnah Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Yahya Sultan said that coronavirus tests for people would be free of cost and kits were available in Jinnah Hospital.
He also said that 600 tests could be performed within 24 hours.
