LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar warned the people against taking the current wave of the coronavirus pandemic lightly, and directed the authorities to ensure strict compliance of SOPs across Punjab.
In a statement, CM Buzdar said the current wave of the virus is “more dangerous” than the previous. COVID-19 cases have spiked sharply in the country’s largest province during the last two weeks.
According to NCOC data, 1,191 cases of coronavirus were reported in Punjab in the last 24 hours, out of 2,253 cases in total reported from all over Pakistan.
The provincial government has also re-imposed restrictions in order to contain the virus and enforced smart lockdowns in various cities, while educational institutes in seven cities have been shut for two weeks from today.
CM Punjab said there would no compromise on the safety of people and that it is a top priority for the government to ensure that the lives of the people are secured.
The chief minister directed the police and local administration to ensure the closure of markets and bazaars according to the new timings announced by the government.
Usman Buzdar said that the government is aware of the problems faced by traders, but asked them to prioritise people’s lives as these measures were necessary.
Buzdar added, “Due to violation of COVID-19 SOPs, the number of cases is increasing along with the death toll,” he noted.”
CM Buzdar also urged the public to help the administration in observing safety guidelines.
The national tally of total active COVID-19 cases was recorded at 22,038 on Monday, with 2,253 more people testing positive for the virus and 1,307 people recovering from the disease during the last 24 hours.
A total of 29 corona patients died during the past 24 hours, 26 of whom were under treatment in hospitals. Three were out of hospitals in quarantine at home, according to the latest update issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC).
During the last 24 hours, most of the deaths occurred in Punjab, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Of the total 29 deaths, 16 of the deceased had been on ventilator support.
The maximum ventilators were occupied in four major areas, including Multan 28%, Islamabad 38%, Peshawar 23% and Lahore 34%.
