LAHORE: With active 2346 coronavirus patients, the province of Punjab has reported 176 fresh coronavirus cases and nine deaths during the last 24 hours, taking the provincial tally of coronavirus cases to 101,936 and death toll to 2,319.

Pakistan has reported 654 coronavirus recoveries during the last 24 hours. The total number of recoveries has risen to 308,674 while the recovery rate is 95.1 percent.

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said the coronavirus situation is being monitored strictly and there is no room for any negligence as an increase in the number of patients and death is observed.

In a statement, the CM asserted observance of SOPs is imperative to overcome the second wave of the coronavirus. The citizens should wear facemasks and maintain social distancing, he added. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid received 46 ventilators donated by the USAID at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute.

US Consul General in Lahore Catherine Rodriguez gave away the ventilators. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said, “coronavirus pandemic has affected the entire world. By the grace of Almighty, the coronavirus pandemic affected Pakistan comparatively much less. Pakistani doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have valiantly faced the Pandemic. By 11th June, we had a large number of critically ill Covid-19 patients at Punjab hospitals. The 46 ventilators given away by the USAID will be very helpful in fighting the pandemic. These ventilators will be distributed among different government hospitals of Punjab. For service to humanity, the great friendship of Pakistan and America will continue to flourish.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020