COVID-19 daily testing capacity raised to 6,000 in Punjab: CM Buzdar

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the COVID-19 testing capacity has been increased in the province after the number of the testing labs was increased to eight.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore today, CM Buzdar said that funds of Rs 620 million were spent to make the labs operational in the province. He said 6,000 people would be tested daily for the COVID-19, starting from Sunday.

He said that the provincial government is determined to increase the COVID-19 testing capacity. He said that the authorities were considering concrete measures to control the epidemic situation in the province.

CM Buzdar further said in the coming days, they will also recommend the federal government to approve declaring homes of some coronavirus patients as quarantine centres.

He also informed that smart sampling for COVID-19 test in different categories would begin in six cities, including Rawalpindi, Multan, Lahore, Gujrwanwala, Faisalabad and Gujrat.

He said the provincial government was in talks with the federal government to reopen several industries that had labour colonies for their workers.

Speaking about the protest of patients at the Lahore Expo Field Hospital, he assured that he was looking into the matter and an inquiry has been ordered.

He said the federal government should also play its role in supporting the provinces in the war against COVID-19, he added.

Punjab has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan with the provincial tally at 6,854 while the death tally has reached 115 in the province.