COVID-19: Several areas of Lahore to be sealed tomorrow night

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid on Monday said that several areas of Lahore, which have higher number of COVID-19 cases, would be sealed tomorrow night for 15 days to contain the spread of the disease.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the health minister said a strategy was being devised about the areas with high ratio of Covid-19 patients. She said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the government should be followed strictly, so that the wheel of the economy could be run. “Lahore is becoming a hotspot of coronavirus. Only through wearing mask we can stop at least 50 percent of corona disease transmission,” she said.

She said different areas including Johar Town, Shahdara, Mazang, Harbanspura, Allama Iqbal Town, Wapda Town, Cantt area, Walled City, Shad Bagh and Nishter Ground would be sealed for at least fortnight as the areas had started transmitting 1000 plus cases daily. One of the areas has developed 358 cases in one day, she said.

The minister said essential item shops and pharmacies would remain open in the affected areas.

Also Read: 1,577 less new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Pakistan from yesterday

She said adequate number of vents were still available with the provincial government to cater to the needs of the coronavirus patients. She said not all the patients need to be put on ventilator.

“We should consider that when we are giving doomsday scenario, it gives depression to people,” she said.

At least 1,577 less new positive cases from yesterday have been reported by Monday morning in Pakistan. 6,825 cases were reported by Sunday morning, while 5,248 cases have been reported in last 24 hours taking the total tally to 144,478.

These include 54,138 in Punjab, 53,805 in Sindh, 18,013 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8,177 in Balochistan, 8,569 in Islamabad, 1,129 in Gilgit Baltistan and 647 in Azad Kashmir. 

29,085 tests were conducted during last 24 hours. 53,721 people have been recovered so far across Pakistan making it a significant count.