LAHORE: A sharp increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases across Punjab has further burdened state-run health facilities, taking their bed occupancy ratio to 54 per cent.

The rate increased during the last two weeks or so due to widespread transmission of the virus.

Official figures reported by the health department portray a grim picture as 3,693 people contracted the virus during the last seven days in the province.

Punjab had reported around 3,686 positive cases for the virus during a period of one month starting from March 15, when the first Covid-19 case was spotted.

Most of the confirmed patients were taken care of in Lahore where the 1,000-bed Expo Centre Field Hospital is housing 450 patients, with 45pc bed occupancy.

Ratio may touch 80pc in two weeks

Similarly, the Mayo Hospital houses 420 patients (70pc bed occupancy) while the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institution 100 patients (100pc bed occupancy).

The health authorities believe that this percentage is likely to reach 80pc in coming two weeks if cases continue to grow at the same rate.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) is very much concerned over the increasing number of coronavirus patients and rising death toll.

“We are extremely disturbed that how our hospitals would mange the load of corona patients in future because of the scale of transmission of the virus,” said PMA Secretary Dr Qaisar Sajjad.

He said the government would have to revisit the current health system in order to remove flaws and create more space for coronavirus patients, keeping in view the future requirements.

While sharing the fresh report, a spokesperson for the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department said Punjab reported a record 961 confirmed cases of the virus on Friday and it was the highest figure in a single day so far since the pandemic surfaced in the province.

“The government has allocated 7,753 beds for the corona patients at all the teaching, district and other field hospitals across the province,” he said. Of them, 4,239 had been occupied by the patients.

“We have 6,744 beds for corona patients at all the teaching and field hospitals that fall under the specialised healthcare and medical education department in Punjab,” SH&MED Additional Secretary (development) Nadir Chattha said.

He said 3,370 of them were allocated in teaching hospitals and 3,374 at field hospitals. Of the 6,744 beds, he said 2,261 (34pc) had been occupied by the patients.

“We are going to make available 984 more beds in coming days,” he said.

Of the total admitted patients, Mr Chattha said 40 were in a critical condition, with 34 of them on ventilators. He said so far 186 corona patients had died in Punjab.

On the other hand, of the total 961 confirmed cases on Friday, 488 were reported from Lahore which was also another record number (of people testing positive) in the provincial capital in just a day. Of them, 87 were reported from Gujrat, 77 from Rawalpindi, 60 Faisalabad, 45 Multan and 67 from Muzaffargarrh besides some other cities.

The total number of confirmed cases in Lahore and Punjab rose to 3,856 and 10,033, respectively, on Friday.

Surprisingly, the health department said only one patient died (in Muzaffargarh) of coronavirus in Punjab during the last 24 hours.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020

In the Central Western Carpathians (CWC), most published paleomagnetic results from Permo-Mesozoic rocks document extensive remagnetizations and come from thin-skinned thrust units that have undergone multistage deformation. We present results from lower Triassic redbeds from the autochthonous cover overlying the basement that carry a primary magnetization. Petromagnetic results indicate that the dominant ferromagnetic carrier is hematite, while magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy are controlled by both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals. Magnetic fabrics document weak deformation related to Late Cretaceous shortening. The directions of the high unblocking temperature remanence components pass both reversal and fold tests, attesting to their primary nature. Paleomagnetic inclinations are flatter than expected from reference datasets, suggesting small latitudinal separation between the CWC and stable Europe. Paleomagnetic declinations are mostly clustered within individual mountain massifs, implying their tectonic coherence. They show only minor differences between the massifs, indicating a lack of significant vertical-axis tectonic rotations within the studied central parts of the CWC. The paleomagnetic declinations are therefore representative of the whole of the CWC in terms of regional paleogeographic interpretations, and imply moderate counterclockwise rotations (c. 26°) of the region with respect to stable Europe since the Early Triassic.

Award-winning film-maker Gurinder Chadha has hailed the "NHS heroes" who stayed at her aunt's bedside as she lost the fight with coronavirus complications in hospital.

Washington state fruit growers say that a ban on bunk beds in farmworker housing would cut their seasonal work force in half, likely leading to food shortages and price hikes.

A report by the John Lewis group gives a snapshot of what consumers are buying during the pandemic.

This was the first time in a long time that I’ve renewed my nursing license with the thought that I might need it — that I might be needed.

The post Preparing to Go Back to the Bedside During COVID-19: A Nurse-Turned-Bioethicist Reflects appeared first on Bill of Health.

Built on a gooseneck trailer, this modern tiny house is designed to accommodate up to three sleeping areas.

And a really nice solar decathlon winner.

To gain more space, this apartment's redesign puts everything in the wall.

The world wishes to investigate the role of a seemingly compliant WHO and allegations that insufficient or inaccurate data originating from China failed to alert the world on the intensity of the dangers from COVID-19.... [Read More]

Despite media reports pointing out the poor handling and care of patients at Sion hospital, the administration seems to have not taken any action yet, as a new video has emerged of Friday evening, showing most patients sharing beds across the casualty ward.

On Friday, mid-day had reported how Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital admitted patients in the ward that had bodies piled on the beds. Earlier, a video had surfaced online, showing a man escaping out of the window due to the pathetic condition of the hospital. While the BMC has initiated an enquiry into the past incidents, the latest video has raised concern about the patients' safety at the hospital.

A 40-year-old woman from Dharavi was recently admitted to the casualty ward of Sion hospital with high fever. "She was given saline and asked to share a bed with another female patient. We don't know what the other patient is suffering from. What kind of isolation is this?" asks the daughter.

A Dharavi resident, 40, is made to share a bed with another patient at Sion hospital

In the video, several beds were seen occupied by at least two patients at a time. A 25-year-old man suffering from high fever was made to lie down with a 45-year-old patient. "I have been made to share a bed with a man who is more than 45 years old. I have been told that the doctor will visit me only in the morning. What if the man beside be is already a COVID-19 patient? Will he not pass on the virus to me?" he questioned while speaking to mid-day. Another patient, Vishnu Sarathi, a 34-year-old resident of Antop Hill was brought to Sion hospital by her neighbours after he complained of stomach pain. He also had high fever. However, the doctors gave him medicine and sent him back home.

Sources in the hospital said they take all the patients to the casualty ward when they arrive and due to lack of beds, they have to sit or lie down beside other patients. In case of fever, we give them medicines and if it subsides, we send them home, said the sources, adding that the rest are admitted. At present, the number of patients in the hospital is higher than that of the beds.

Some hospital staffers, who tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic, complained that they are being made to share wards with other high-risk patients. "Their report has come back positive but they do not have any symptoms," said one of the staffers.

Patients made to share a bed at Sion hospital

"We have tested positive, but there are no symptoms of COVID-19. We are afraid that our health might suffer by being among the high-risk patients," said another.

A visitor in the hospital was also seen without a mask on Friday, which violates the instructions given by the administration and also poses a risk to others.

Sion hospital Dean Pramod Ingale did not respond to mid-day's requests for comment.

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Popular gym chains across the country not only use persuasive post-holiday marketing campaigns, but they're also undermining public health warnings about the dangers of indoor tanning.

Hospital Beds in Portugal remained unchanged at 3.39 per 1000 people in 2017 from 3.39 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Portugal averaged 3.69 per 1000 people from 1985 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 4.07 per 1000 people in 1989 and a record low of 3.32 per 1000 people in 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Portugal Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Portugal averaged 343.14 per 100K people from 1999 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 369.26 per 100K people in December of 1999 and a record low of 325.13 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Portugal ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Ukraine averaged 863.93 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 1065.73 per 100K people in December of 1991 and a record low of 613.31 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ukraine ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Luxembourg decreased to 4.51 per 1000 people in 2018 from 4.66 per 1000 people in 2017. Hospital Beds in Luxembourg averaged 5.30 per 1000 people from 2004 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 6.39 per 1000 people in 2004 and a record low of 4.51 per 1000 people in 2018. This page includes a chart with historical data for Luxembourg Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Luxembourg averaged 430.98 per 100K people from 2004 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 502.28 per 100K people in December of 2004 and a record low of 395.70 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Luxembourg ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Andorra averaged 228.16 per 100K people from 1996 until 2009, reaching an all time high of 283.17 per 100K people in December of 2002 and a record low of 189.84 per 100K people in December of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for Andorra ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Greece increased to 4.21 per 1000 people in 2017 from 4.20 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Greece averaged 5.35 per 1000 people from 1960 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 6.47 per 1000 people in 1975 and a record low of 4.20 per 1000 people in 2016. This page includes a chart with historical data for Greece Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Greece averaged 379.11 per 100K people from 1993 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 405.30 per 100K people in December of 2009 and a record low of 346.25 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Greece ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Cyprus averaged 391.98 per 100K people from 1976 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 618.63 per 100K people in December of 1986 and a record low of 195.32 per 100K people in December of 2004. This page includes a chart with historical data for Cyprus ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Bulgaria averaged 551.33 per 100K people from 2005 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 595.04 per 100K people in December of 2014 and a record low of 520.53 per 100K people in December of 2006. This page includes a chart with historical data for Bulgaria ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Ireland decreased to 2.96 per 1000 people in 2017 from 2.97 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Ireland averaged 6.08 per 1000 people from 1980 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 9.13 per 1000 people in 1987 and a record low of 2.54 per 1000 people in 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ireland Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Ireland averaged 310.08 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 425.14 per 100K people in December of 1980 and a record low of 237.38 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ireland ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Poland decreased to 6.62 per 1000 people in 2017 from 6.64 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Poland averaged 6.60 per 1000 people from 2003 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 6.68 per 1000 people in 2003 and a record low of 6.42 per 1000 people in 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for Poland Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Poland averaged 533 per 100K people from 1970 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 632.68 per 100K people in December of 1990 and a record low of 438.62 per 100K people in December of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for Poland ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Romania averaged 548.48 per 100K people from 1980 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 709.49 per 100K people in December of 1986 and a record low of 402.61 per 100K people in December of 2013. This page includes a chart with historical data for Romania ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Croatia averaged 394.77 per 100K people from 2012 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 398.84 per 100K people in December of 2014 and a record low of 389.29 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Croatia ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Czech Republic averaged 577.11 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 817.15 per 100K people in December of 1985 and a record low of 425.03 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Czech Republic ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Lithuania decreased to 6.56 per 1000 people in 2017 from 6.69 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Lithuania averaged 9.78 per 1000 people from 1960 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 12.81 per 1000 people in 1988 and a record low of 6.56 per 1000 people in 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lithuania Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Lithuania averaged 777.37 per 100K people from 1992 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 1136.96 per 100K people in December of 1992 and a record low of 634.39 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lithuania ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Israel decreased to 2.99 per 1000 people in 2018 from 3.02 per 1000 people in 2017. Hospital Beds in Israel averaged 3.74 per 1000 people from 1988 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 4.95 per 1000 people in 1988 and a record low of 2.99 per 1000 people in 2016. This page includes a chart with historical data for Israel Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Israel averaged 286.59 per 100K people from 1988 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 368.70 per 100K people in December of 1988 and a record low of 233.45 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Israel ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Macedonia averaged 332.47 per 100K people from 1980 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 370.44 per 100K people in December of 1991 and a record low of 300.96 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Macedonia ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Slovenia increased to 4.50 per 1000 people in 2017 from 4.49 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Slovenia averaged 5.33 per 1000 people from 1980 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 6.93 per 1000 people in 1980 and a record low of 4.49 per 1000 people in 2016. This page includes a chart with historical data for Slovenia Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Slovenia averaged 477.66 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 579.97 per 100K people in December of 1980 and a record low of 423.03 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Slovenia ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Indonesia increased to 1.04 per 1000 people in 2017 from 0.99 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Indonesia averaged 0.84 per 1000 people from 2009 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 1.04 per 1000 people in 2017 and a record low of 0.57 per 1000 people in 2010. This page includes a chart with historical data for Indonesia Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Georgia averaged 343.54 per 100K people from 1996 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 464.82 per 100K people in December of 1997 and a record low of 210.02 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Georgia ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Sweden decreased to 2.22 per 1000 people in 2017 from 2.34 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Sweden averaged 9.64 per 1000 people from 1960 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 15.64 per 1000 people in 1973 and a record low of 2.22 per 1000 people in 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Sweden Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Sweden averaged 520.40 per 100K people from 1973 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 963.54 per 100K people in December of 1973 and a record low of 234.50 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Sweden ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Iceland decreased to 2.91 per 1000 people in 2018 from 3.06 per 1000 people in 2017. Hospital Beds in Iceland averaged 3.37 per 1000 people from 2007 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 4.12 per 1000 people in 2007 and a record low of 2.91 per 1000 people in 2018. This page includes a chart with historical data for Iceland Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Iceland averaged 285.61 per 100K people from 2007 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 334.94 per 100K people in December of 2007 and a record low of 263.29 per 100K people in December of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for Iceland ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Latvia decreased to 5.57 per 1000 people in 2017 from 5.72 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Latvia averaged 9.55 per 1000 people from 1970 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 14.24 per 1000 people in 1987 and a record low of 5.57 per 1000 people in 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Latvia Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Latvia averaged 728.20 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 1215.65 per 100K people in December of 1987 and a record low of 339.21 per 100K people in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Latvia ICU Beds.

ICU Beds in Turkmenistan averaged 584.73 per 100K people from 1980 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 984.47 per 100K people in December of 1993 and a record low of 295.76 per 100K people in December of 2013. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkmenistan ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Finland decreased to 3.28 per 1000 people in 2017 from 3.97 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Finland averaged 6.56 per 1000 people from 1993 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 8.25 per 1000 people in 1993 and a record low of 3.28 per 1000 people in 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Finland Hospital Beds.

ICU Beds in Finland averaged 339.23 per 100K people from 1970 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 484.12 per 100K people in December of 1970 and a record low of 248.73 per 100K people in December of 1999. This page includes a chart with historical data for Finland ICU Beds.

Hospital Beds in Costa Rica decreased to 1.13 per 1000 people in 2017 from 1.16 per 1000 people in 2016. Hospital Beds in Costa Rica averaged 1.78 per 1000 people from 1980 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 3.01 per 1000 people in 1980 and a record low of 1.13 per 1000 people in 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Costa Rica Hospital Beds.