Next few days important in view of corona spread: minister

LAHORE:In the wake of rapid increase in corona cases in the province, the Punjab government has decided to strictly implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and issued directions to all divisional commissioners in this regard.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and the Chief Secretary Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik. The meeting reviewed the vaccination campaign, corona pandemic situation, medical facilities for the patients and also decided that the divisional commissioners would have the authority to launch door-to-door vaccination campaign in any district as and when required. Addressing the meeting, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the number of cases was rising during the fourth wave of corona and the rate of hospital admissions in Multan, Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur increased rapidly. She directed the health department to ensure the supply of oxygen and ventilators in the hospitals of high rate districts of South Punjab. “The next few days are very important in view of the spread of the epidemic,” she mentioned.

Instructing the divisional commissioners to strictly enforce the corona SOPs, the Chief Secretary said that it was important to wear mask and keep social distance despite vaccinations to prevent the spread of the virus. The Chief Secretary said that the NCOC has lauded the Punjab government for its successful vaccination campaign.

Secretary Primary Health Sara Aslam briefed the meeting that the rate of positive cases in two districts of the province, Rawalpindi and Bhakkar, is more than eight percent. Over 516,000 people were vaccinated on July 29, she said. The Senior Member Board of Revenue, Additional Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Secretary Specialised Health and senior civil and military officials attended the meeting while all the divisional commissioners participated through video link.