LAHORE: Punjab had been witnessing surge in the number of fresh coronavirus cases and deaths in the last few days, especially in Gujranwala, Nankana Sahib and Gujrat, which are regarded as high risk districts in view of increasing number of new cases.

This was revealed in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19, here at the Chief Minister's Office.

During the last 24 hours, Punjab has reported 124 fresh cases and two deaths taking the provincial tally of total cases to 100,272 and deaths to 2247. The number of active coronavirus patients in Punjab is 1521 while after recovery of 417 more people, the total number of recovered patients has reached to 96506.

Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in a statement made an appeal to the citizens to avoid going to overcrowded places and follow anti-corona SOPs to remain safe from this virus.

The CM asserted that timely decisions helped in overcoming the pandemic and anti-corona steps of the Pakistan government have also been acknowledged at the global level.

Addressing a meeting, provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Basharat said that after the increase in coronavirus cases in Sindh, preventive measures are needed to be tightened in Punjab and if people do not take precautions, smart lockdown could be resumed in high risk districts and areas.

Raja Basharat lamented that no restriction of SOPs i.e., wearing of masks and social distancing was witnessed in public gatherings across the province so the health department should formulate new SOPs in this regard. Even in the marriage halls, the SOPs were not being followed as per the agreement, which was raising fears of a resurgence of the pandemic, he said. Due to effective measures taken by the government, Punjab is close to defeating coronavirus so the people should show responsibility and protect themselves and others from this deadly pandemic, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020