Panic grips south Punjab districts as more doctors test positive for corona

MULTAN: Panic grips south Punjab districts following the sudden rise in corona cases and the virus continues targeting more doctors, paramedics and citizens, particularly women, in almost all districts of the region.

According to the reports, four doctors and as many nurses tested positive in the Nishtar Hospital on Monday. Two female doctors are also among the infected doctors. According to the Punjab Health Directorate, the total number of corona positive cases has increased to 901 in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions while 52 suspected patients have been admitted to the hospitals of the region in the last 24 hours. A massive outbreak is feared in Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Layyah districts as the number of corona patients has increase there.

The number of corona patients is estimated at 811 and they are under treatment in public hospitals and quarantine centres in south Punjab districts. During the last two days, ninety new corona cases were reported in the region, indicating a rapid rise in the corona cases.

Rahimyar Khan district stands at top in terms of corona positive cases where the number of corona patients is 41. The situation in Multan is also not different where the corona positive cases have reached to 23 as compared to only four on Saturday last.

Similarly, Vehari district has so far reported 19 corona cases. There is no new case of corona in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalnagar, Layyah and Lodhran districts in the last 24 hours. Total 133 corona patients have so far been recovered at the Dera Ghazi Khan quarantine centre while 221 are still under treatment.

Tests of three patients are re-conducted and their reports are yet to come. However, not a single corona patient could be recovered at the rest of eight quarantine centres so far. Test of 457 corona patients are conducted at the Multan quarantine centre and the results show no recovery. Morever, tests of 366 are re-conducted and their reports are yet to come.

Experts say the rise in corona positive cases is the result of partial lockdown, which has failed to promote social distancing among the masses. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association expressed serious concern over the rise in corona positive cases of health personnel, including doctors, nurses and paramedics.

The PMA said that the health personnel had become the prime victims of corona due to lack of personal protective equipments with them. Earlier, the coronavirus infected 19 health personnel, including 13 doctors, four paramedics and two citizens in the Nishtar Hospital on Sunday.

Punjab boards devise three plans for exams: The nine boards of the Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) of Punjab have devised three plans for the SSC and the HSSC examinations.

Out of these plans, one would be executed after approval from the HED. BISE Chairperson Dr Shamim Akhtar Sial told on Monday that examinations of the Secondary School Certificate and the Higher Secondary School were very much intact and would be conducted as directed by the Higher Education Department after COVID-19 situation improves.

She informed that a video link meeting of the PBCC was held on April 11 wherein all boards presented a common plan A, B and C on the directions of the HED for the examination whose minutes reached us today.

To a question, the chairperson stated that there were many opinions, adding that exams were intact so far. To another question, Dr Shamim advised students and their parents not to pay heed to rumours about the exams. The plan A recommended marking of the SSC (10th) papers marking from May 1 to July 10 while result would be declared in the first week of August, she told. Remaining papers of the SSC part II (9th) could be conducted from May 8 to May 20 whereas the result would be announced in the first week of September, shows an official document.

The theory of the HSSC (part-II) may be conducted from May 29 to June 12 and the result would be declared in the third week of September under the plan, she informed. The part-I exams of the HSSC had been proposed from June 13 to June 25 while the result date would be announced in the first week of October, she continued. Likewise, the plan B and C had been proposed for the exams, she added.

MWMC worker dies of cardiac arrest while performing duty: A worker of the Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) died of cardiac arrest while performing duty here on Monday. MWMC Managing Director Nasir Shahzad Dogar expressed deep grief over the death of Ghulam Sajid and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, said an official release.

He announced to give job to a son of the deceased and ordered officials to pay his dues as early as possible to his widow. MWMC official Daud Makki visited deceased Ghulam Sajid’s home and expressed condolence with his family. An official said that Ghulam Sajid was suffering from cardiac ailment since long.