LAHORE: As many as 27 more critical patients, including retired inspector general of police (IGP) Nasir Khan Durrani, died of Covid-19 in Punjab during the last 24 hours.

Mr Durrani, who headed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, was under treatment at the Mayo Hospital for the last two weeks or so.

Mayo MS Iftikhar Ahmad said Mr Durrani, who was a heart patient, was put on ventilator a week back after he developed Covid complications during the treatment.

According to official figures, the Covid death toll reached 7,457 in Punjab, where 2,766 more people tested positive for the virus during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 270,338.Lahore has reported 1,413 new cases.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has decided to start administration of the coronavirus vaccine to the people having 50 to 59 years age from Wednesday (tomorrow).

Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Ms Sara Aslam ordered all chief executive officers (health) to ensure arrangements for vaccination of the people in 50-59 year age group at the already set up 126 centres.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2021