LAHORE: The number of new reported coronavirus-positive cases and related deaths has started dropping in Punjab, as 1,523 new cases were reported in the province recently as compared to 2,538 previous days, while Covid-19 claimed 60 lives as compared to 82 earlier.
In Lahore too, the number of new cases was 728 as compared to 1,166 previously.
The official data of the past 10 days shows that the total number of Covid-19 patients in the government and private hospitals were recorded at 1,031 on June 11 and by June 20 the number dropped to 861.
However, hospitals in Lahore have 2,419 beds for stable coronavirus patients, asymptomatic or mild cases, in their High Dependency Units (HDUs) and Intensive Care Units (ICU).
Mayo Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Prof Asad Aslam Khan told that as per report generated at 8 pm on Sunday, as many as 226 HDU beds (for coronavirus patients needing oxygen) and 38 ICU beds (for patients needing ventilators) were lying vacant in 16 public hospitals in Lahore.
Of 512 HDU beds in Lahore, Prof Khan said, 286 were occupied and 226 (44.14 per cent) lying vacant. Similarly, of 184 ICU beds, 146 were occupied and 38 (20.65pc) still vacant.
All the HDU beds in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore General Hospital (LGH) and Punjab Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), Lahore, are occupied.
Meanwhile, 100pc ICU beds occupancy rate has been recorded in Jinnah Hospital, LGH and Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital.
A health department official said the number of new coronavirus-positive cases might further drop in the days to come following the latest ‘selected lockdown’ imposed in different localities in Lahore and other cities on June 16 midnight. Since the coronavirus incubation period could go up to 14 days, the official said a fair comparison of new cases could be made by June 30.
-DN Report
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
