PU sets up lab to test Covid-19 suspects

LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad inaugurated a diagnostic laboratory to test samples of suspected patients of Covid-19 at the university’s Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB) here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad said PU had the state of the art laboratories and it would serve the country and the nation at this critical time. He said at the moment, as many as 100 tests of coronavirus suspects would be conducted per day for diagnosis and this capacity would be enhanced by the time. He said the researchers of CAMB and CEMB had made day and night efforts to set up this laboratory on emergency basis. He said the domestic Covid-19 diagnostic kit developed by Dr Muhammad Idrees would also be utilised in the laboratory for testing the samples of suspected patients that would be referred by Punjab government.

Dr Muhammad Idrees Khan said the total cost of per Covid-19 diagnostic test would be around Rs 800. He said: “We were about to receive raw material to be used for preparation of the kits in a day and soon we would produce COVID-19 diagnostic kits on mass scale.”

summer break: In pursuance of the federal government notification, Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab has also announced that all universities and colleges (public & private), including autonomous colleges of the department in Punjab will remain closed till 31st May, 2020 in the backdrop of Covid-19.

The closure will be treated as summer vacation, reads a HED Punjab notification.

LCWU: In the wake of coronavirus pandemic when people are also going through psychological pressure and imbalance, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) in a joint venture with International Young Psychologists Society is launching online counselling service.

LGH: Lahore General Hospital (LGH) has completed arrangements for setting up corona wards and ICUs in two nearby private hospitals and has released the duty roster of doctors and paramedics.

Principal Postgraduate Medical Institute Prof Dr Alfreed Zafar visited these hospitals on Monday and issued necessary instructions to the LGH administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Al-freed Zafar said in the light of the orders of the Punjab Health Department, staff will be given 15 days leave after completing one week duty at Corona Isolation Ward at Lahore General Hospital and new staff will replace them. He said initially 50 beds to each hospital have been allocated to the private hospitals and that the number can be increased if needed. He said doctors and nurses who do duty in private hospitals, security kits, pick and drop and food will be provided to these doctors and staff by the administration of LGH. Prof Al-freed said people should strictly follow precautions.

joint efforts: Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal has said, “With determination and unity we will win war against coronavirus.” In a statement issued here on Monday, the minister said joint efforts by the government, institutions and people will eradicate the pandemic and help overcome the crisis.

The minister said the nation salutes the medics and paramedical staff for treating corona patients by standing on forefront. Lockdown was imposed to save the masses from dangers of coronavirus and they should observe it properly. The PTI government is standing with its people in this hour of tribulation and suffering. The Punjab government on the pattern of federal government has also granted relief package to the downtrodden segment of society amounting billions of rupees, the minister said and urged philanthropists to come forward and help the needy. The minister said there is no scarcity of food items in the country and people should not panic and buy commodities beyond their needs. Those indulging in hoarding are criminals of the nation, he regretted.