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Daily number of cases dropped below 1,000 for the first time in Punjab: Dr Yasmin

Daily number of cases dropped below 1,000 for the first time in Punjab: Dr Yasmin
May 23, 2021

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Sunday has said that for the first time in the third wave of the coronavirus, the daily number of cases in Punjab has dropped below 1,000.

In a media briefing on Sunday, the minister said that the strict restrictions during Eid has yielded positive results with overall cases in the province going below 1,000 mark. "The cases of COVID-19 across the province have decreased due to strict implementation on the SOPs. “More people are going out from hospitals after recovery than the arrival of infected patients,” she told.

Dr Yasmin Rashid pointed out that the reason behind the decreasing trend is the strict implementation of SOPs. “But this does not mean that we have defeated the virus. The battle is ongoing and we have to keep figuring out ways to fight it,” she maintained. She also urged the citizens to wear masks and maintain social distancing. "A study states that using a mask gives you 90% protection from the deadly virus, she added.

Rashid urged people to get themselves and the elderly vaccinated. In Punjab, more than 2.8 million people have been vaccinated so far. “It’s important to get people above the age of 50 immunised because they have a high chance of getting infected.”

The minister said that the smart lockdowns will be imposed in areas where the number of cases is high.

The coronavirus infection rate in major cities of Punjab such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Multan has fallen below 8%. The infection rate in Rawalpindi, one of the most affected cities, was recorded at 3.5% on Sunday, Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid said.

According to the minister, there are eight districts in the province where the infection rate is above 8%. These are Rajanpur, Layyah, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Chakwal, Vehari, Nankana Sahib, and Khushab.