LAHORE: With 22 more deaths due to the coronavirus, around 2,040 fresh coronavirus cases were reported across the province of Punjab on Friday, taking the provincial tally to 31,144 cases.
Punjab's Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department reported 2,040 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day rise recorded by any province so far.
With 22 more fatalities, the total number of deaths in Punjab reached 629.
According to the department, 7,806 people have recovered from the virus while a total of 266,959 tests have been conducted so far.
However, the government's Covid-19 portal has reported that 1,070 more people recovered from the coronavirus in Pakistan. This has taken the total number of recoveries to 31,198.
As cases and deaths from the novel coronavirus continue to surge, the Punjab government has made wearing of face masks compulsory in government offices.
One positive development is that initial trial of the drug Actemra conducted at PKLI, Mayo and Services Hospitals showed positive results. The use of this drug is further being evaluated at appropriate level.
Sources at Mayo Hospital said the drug could only be given to critically-ill patients with specific symptoms on the advice of doctors whereas ordinary coronavirus patients would not be allowed to take it.
Meanwhile, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has served a show-cause notice on a drug company after social media ran a campaign that claims that a generic of the drug Remdesivir for Covid-19 was being launched at Rs20,000 a dose.
DRAP has asked the company to explain its position within two days.
Furthermore, a spokesman for another drug company, Ferozsons, has clarified that it has no connection with the launch of the treatment being imported from Bangladesh and marketed in Pakistan.
"We take exception to the linkage of company name with the launch or promotion of any treatment which is yet to receive DRAP approval. Remdesivir, a proprietary product of Gilead Sciences Inc., USA, was granted emergency use authorization by the United States FDA on May 1, 2020," the spokesman said, adding: "As a licensee of Gilead Sciences, Ferozsons, through its subsidiary, BF Biosciences Limited, is committed to urgently making available a licensed product manufactured under a technology transfer of the Gilead manufacturing process for Remdesivir, and to ethical communication at all times. Putting patients first is and will always remain at the heart of the Ferozsons operating philosophy."
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid in a meeting reviewed situation of plasma therapy, ICUs, operation theatres, ventilators and other facilities for Covid-19 patients.
The minister said that separate beds and facilities had been reserved for healthcare professionals and government employees.
She said, "The Corona Expert Advisory Group is giving recommendations on a daily basis. We are having positive results on use of Tocilizumab."
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