DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Twenty more coronavirus-related fatalities in Punjab pushed the death toll to 4,158, while 528 new cases took the infection tally to 1,32,263 on Wednesday, according to a medical bulletin. The places which reported new coronavirus cases include Mohali (73), Jalandhar (67) and Bathinda (53), it said. There are 4,239 active COVID-19 cases in the state, as of now, according to the bulletin. A total of 356 coronavirus patients were discharged after recovering from infection, taking the number of cured persons to 1,23,866. Twenty critical patients are on ventilator support, while 102 are on oxygen support, the bulletin said. A total of 25,38,610 samples have been collected for testing so far in the state, it said. To further spread awareness among all the diabetic & hypertension patients of Punjab to adopt preventive measures and scheduled their diet and exercise routine, Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu wrote letters to all such patients. Giving details here in press communique, Sidhu said that considering the prevention is only the treatment of coronavirus, he decided to communicate with the patients personally by sending the letters. Besides preventive measures, symptoms of diabetes and hypertension, all necessary details to lead healthy and disease-less life provided in it. He said that Punjab government has also launched the campaign titled "Public Health Response to Covid-19: Appropriate Behaviour" to make people aware especially those who were suffering from co-morbidity. The Health Minister added that the health department was conducting the screening program to diagnose the non-communicable diseases under which about 20 lakh individuals have been screened for hypertension and 11.5 lakh for diabetes. Apart from this, 17 lakh persons have been screened for oral, breast and cervical cancer. The Minister stated that even the number of active cases of coronavirus rapidly declined in Punjab, the Civil Surgeons have been instructed to ensure the strict compliance of guidelines such as wear masks, follow physical distancing at public places and maintain hand hygiene in view of festival season. He said that he also directed the department to ensure that these letters to be delivered to all diabetic and hypertension patients within 15 days with the help of ANM and ASHAs.Disclosing about COVID-19 status, Sidhu said that with the 93.8 percent recovery rate, Punjab led the national rate. (editor@dailyworld.in)