RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday paid a surprise visit to the coronavirus management centre at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) and inspected arrangements made for the patients.

He was briefed about the centre by Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood. Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Mohammad Umar, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid, primary and secondary health secretary along with other concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

Mr Buzdar said around 50 beds had been made available at the centre and the number will be increased if the need arises.

“Necessary diagnostic kits have been arranged for coronavirus patients in Punjab,” he said.

“Punjab cabinet has already given approval to the enforcement of public health emergency in the province. Every necessary step is being taken for protecting people of the province from coronavirus,” he added.

Says 50 beds had been made available at the centre and the number will be increased if the need arises

Health advisory is being strictly implemented for prevention of the virus and the screening process at airports has been made more effective, he said, adding special attention was being paid towards training doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Prof Umar said there was a management unit for coronavirus at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) as well.

The management unit at HFH was established years ago at the time of the dengue outbreak to treat patients suffering from infectious diseases. Its name changed throughout the years from Dengue Ward, Swine Flu Ward to Department of Infectious Diseases and now it is known as Corona Management Unit.

According to health officials, treatment for coronavirus requires Airborne Isolation Infection Rooms (AIIRs) to keep the infection contained and prevent it from spreading to other patients and healthy people. Air from these rooms needs to be exhausted out or filtered, through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter directly before re-circulation.

It is advised to keep room doors closed except when entering or leaving the room and entry and exit to the room should be minimised. Facilities should monitor and document proper negative-pressure function of these rooms.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2020