LAHORE: Covid-19 claimed lives of 68 more patients in Punjab during the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 7,209.

The province also reported 2,870 more new infections during the same period. The situation was said to be much disturbing in Lahore where the virus is spreading fast. According to the official figures of Thursday, the provincial capital recorded 1,726 new positive cases during the last 24 hours, the highest one reported in a day since June.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said vaccination had been administered to 27,323 elderly citizens on the first day of Ramazan as extra hours had been added in the form of two shifts. She said that in the morning shift 151,30 people and in evening shift 12,193 citizens were inoculated. The health minister added that the vaccination process of elderly citizens was going on at full pace.

“Punjab has administered first dose of vaccine to more than 136,000 healthcare workers and second dose to over 83,000 of them,” Ms Rashid said.

68 more deaths, 2,870 new cases in Punjab

Similarly, she said, Punjab had administered first dose of vaccine to more than 390,000 and second dose to over 90,000 elderly citizens.

Overall, Punjab has vaccinated just over 750,000 citizens, she said, adding that people of over 60 years of age are being vaccinated at their homes.

“We are taking all-out measures to control the pandemic and capacity of public sector hospitals is being steadily increased,” she said.

The registration process of people between 50 and 60 years had started.

“We have set a target of vaccination of 20,000 citizens per day”, the health minister said.

Senior citizens are being facilitated all across the province. During the holy month of Ramazan, citizens are being vaccinated in two shifts. The first shift works from 10am to 4pm and the second shift operates from 9pm to 1am.

“We are using top quality vaccine in Punjab,” she said.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2021