Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Dr Yasmin Rashid on Sunday said that the COVID-19 infection rate in Multan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi has fallen below 8 per cent. This decrease is a direct result of strict lockdown and SOPs implementation in the province since the last two weeks, the minister added.
“For the first time in the third wave of the virus, the daily number of cases in Punjab has dropped below 1,000,” Rashid remarked. The infection rate in Rawalpindi, one of the most affected cities, was recorded at 3.5pc on Sunday.
In the last 24 hours, 901 people tested positive for the virus, while 29 lost their lives in Punjab.
According to the minister, there are eight districts in the province where the infection rate is above 8pc. These include Rajanpur, Layyah, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Chakwal, Vehari, Nankana Sahib, and Khushab.
She emphasised on the fact that danger is still not over and people should not relax and keep on following SOPs.
“But this does not mean that we have defeated the virus,” she said. “The battle is ongoing and we have to keep figuring out ways to fight it.”
The best way is to wear masks and maintain social distancing. A study states that using a mask gives you 90pc protection from the deadly virus, she added.
Speaking about the vaccination drive in the province Dr Yasmin said that presently, the highest number of people are getting vaccinated in Punjab.
“So far, we have administered 2.8million doses in the province,” she revealed. “It’s important to get people above the age of 50 immunised because they have a high chance of getting infected.”
Rashid assured that the oxygen and ventilator condition in the province was under control.
Pakistan reports 3,084 new cases, 74 fatalities
In the last 24 hours, Pakistan recorded 74 deaths while 3,084 people tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). Most casualties were seen in the province of Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Till now, Pakistan has recorded 20,251 deaths. Punjab is on top of the list with 9,768 casualties followed by Sindh:4,909; KPK: 3,924; Islamabad: 745; Balochistan: 270; GB: 107 and AJK: 528.
