Corona positivity rate increasing in Punjab, 15 more areas in Lahore placed under lockdown

Corona positivity rate increasing in Punjab, while 15 more areas in Lahore have been placed under lockdown for being hotspots of COVID-19 cases.

Punjab recorded 3,056 new infections in the last 24 hours, marking the third straight day of over 3,000 new cases.

While 67 additional fatalities were reported from the virus, down from 98 a day earlier, taking the death toll to 7,964. 

Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Yasmin Rashid in a press briefing on Sunday said that the positivity rate in Punjab has increased.

In a media briefing, she said that in Lahore, the rate has increased to 19%, while Faisalabad and Multan reported an infection rate of 27% and 23%.

Provincial Minister said that 89% of ventilators are in use in Lahore and 88% in Gujranwala.

“SOPs are being strictly enforced. It will be difficult for us if people do not implement SOPs,” she added.

“In the last 24 hours, 28 people succumbed to the deadly virus in Lahore after which 15 areas in the city were sealed. Two neighbourhoods of Multan and 10 of Rawalpindi have been completely locked down as well,” Dr. Yasmin said.

“Approximately 33,000 people in coronavirus hotspots across Punjab are under a complete lockdown. Similar rules will apply to areas where the positivity rate exceeds 8%,” she added.

15 more areas in Lahore placed under lockdown

Following the rapidly increasing coronavirus cases across Lahore, the authorities have imposed a smart lockdown targeting 15 areas of the provincial capital on Sunday.

According to a notification issued by Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Health Care Department, the smart lockdown will remain intact in the localities until May 7.

The neighborhood to go under lockdown include areas of Allama Iqbal Town, Aziz Bhatti, Gulberg Town, Data Ganj Bakhsh, and Lahore Cantt.

As per the SOPs issued by authorities, business centers across the province will be closed at 6 pm while Saturdays and Sundays will be holidays where businesses will remain shuttered.

In addition, amusement parks, cinema halls, sports events, cultural festivals, and gatherings will be completely banned during the lockdown.

Meanwhile, the smart lockdown in various parts of Punjab has been extended till May 17.