Punjab contemplating complete lockdown in Lahore
Women shop at a market after the government eased the lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Rawalpindi on May 9, 2020. (Photo by Farooq NAEEM / AFP)
Covid positivity ratio climbs to 19%
LAHORE: The district administration and Punjab Health Department are considering a complete lockdown in Lahore as the coronavirus positivity ratio in the city climbed to 19%.
On Sunday, the positivity rate in five cities of the province was recorded at 15%.
Hospitals are facing a shortage of ventilators and beds after the number of critical patients rose.
Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid warned that if precautionary measures are not taken, the situation in Lahore will worsen.
There are zero ventilators at the Jinnah Hospital, Services Hospital, Gangaram Hospital, Kot Khawaja Saeed Teaching Hospital and One Gate Hospital, she informed.
The OPD section of the Jinnah Hospital has been shut for public.
Health Minister said, “Oxygen beds at hospitals across Lahore have reached their 70% capacity,” adding that a complete lockdown should therefore be imposed in Lahore.
The final decision regarding this will be taken by the Punjab government.
