Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said on Wednesday that majority of the coronavirus cases in Punjab are being reported from Lahore.
“Lahore has always been Punjab’s coronavirus hotspot ever since the pandemic hit Pakistan and even now, most people being tested positive are from Lahore,” she said while speaking a programme of a private tv channel.
The minister informed that over 200 neighbourhoods in Lahore are under smart lockdowns. Dr Rashid said that the virus hotspots are continuously changing in the provincial metropolis. She added that a total of 1.6 million tests have been conducted so far. Across Punjab, smart lockdowns have been imposed in 44 areas in Multan, 47 in Rawalpindi, 16 in Sahiwal, 24 in Sargodha, 37 in Bahawalpur and 17 in Dera Ghazi Khan. Another 34 localities in Faisalabad, 35 in Bhakkur 35 and 14 areas in Gujranwala are under a smart lockdown.
The federal government said it is closely monitoring Lahore “as every second case is being reported there”.
People have been instructed to wear face masks every time they go out, avoid crowded places and practice social distancing. In the last 24 hrs, 1,313 new cases were reported and 18 people died across the country. Nearly 14,700 active cases have been recorded.
Meanwhile, the health minister visited NA-125 and met people from all walks of life in the constituency.
She visited the home of chairman Jehangir Khan to condole the death of his murdered nephew Sher Khan as well as sad demise of PTI worker Kaka in the constituency. The minister noted complaints of the local residents and ordered the officials concerned to resolve them. The health minister also met female political workers of the area.
The minister said, “I came here to condole the demise of Kaka and Sher Khan. All out efforts are being made to resolve the problems of the area. Concerned officials have been asked to resolve the problems of the people in the constituency on priority. In order to facilitate people, 31 Sahulat Bazaars have been set up in Lahore on directions from Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. The PTI government believes in meaningful service, not pointless claims. Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to provide maximum relief to people living below poverty line. As a humble worker of Imran Khan, I believe in serving people.”
