LAHORE: As many as 18 more coronavirus patients lost their lives during the past 24 hours taking the tally of total deaths in Punjab to 5,552.

Of 18 deaths, seven deaths have been reported from Lahore, four from Faisalabad and one each from Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Sialkot.

As many as 1,044 new cases have been reported in Punjab during the past 24 hours making the total Covid-positive patients to 177,008.

The highest number - 646 new cases - have been reported from Lahore besides 90 from Gujrat, 57 from Faisalabad, 41 from Gujranwala, 36 from Sialkot, 31 from Rawalpindi, 23 from Multan, 20 from Sargodha and 19 from Rahim Yar Khan.

The Punjab primary and secondary healthcare department spokesman says the department has so far conducted 3.402 million tests and added that 164,989 coronavirus patients had recovered in the province.

The spokesman said people should ensure protective measures to save themselves from the coronavirus infection. In case there were some symptoms, the spokesman said, such persons should immediately contact 1033.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2021