Over 2000 cases, 34 deaths reported across Punjab: Not more than 20 percent people would contract coronavirus: experts

LAHORE: With surge in Corona positive cases as well as related deaths, health professionals have dispelled the general perception that eventually everybody would fall a victim of the novel coronavirus.

"In any case not more than 20-percent people would contract Covid-19 and of those only 5 to 7 per cent would fall seriously ill", they said.

As per the government's Covid-19 portal, Punjab has recorded over 2,003 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus and 34 casualties in the last 24 hours.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Punjab is 45,463 while the death toll is 841 till the filing of this report.

The City of Lahore is worst hit by the virus in Punjab with over 21581 cases and around 290 deaths so far. During the last 24 hours, over 1400 fresh cases and seven fatalities were reported.

In different hospitals in the provincial metropolis, over 750 Covid-19 patients are under treatment out of which 105 are in ICUs and 119 on ventilators.

Health professionals expressed grave concern over increase in the number of reported cases and deaths and asked the people to stay home and adopt protective measures.

The government has also intensified its efforts for the strict compliance of SOPs as well as maintaining social distancing. In fresh orders, only the most essential staff has been called in offices.

The UHS vice-chancellor Prof Dr Javed Akram urged the physicians not to make haste in putting seriously ill coronavirus patients on ventilators.

"Putting Covid-19 patient on ventilator must be the last option, as 80 to 90 per cent of these patients are not survived," he said, adding: "Only trained manpower be authorized to manage ventilators and other equipment in the hospitals."

On the other hand, the sources claimed that the government has decided not to shift suspected or confirmed corona patients at the quarantine centres at Kala Shah Kaku, Punjab University, Lahore University, Thokar Niaz Baig, Raiwind Tableeghi Markaz and Qaddafi Stadium (Nishtar Park). However, the Johar Town Expo Centre having status of field hospital will continue treating the confirmed Covid-19 patients, the sources added.

At present, the home isolation policy was being followed, the sources said, adding: "The closed centres could be revived if required."