ISLAMABAD: The confirmed coronavirus cases in the capital rose to 51 after five more people tested positive for the virus on Monday.

Besides, there were 365 suspected cases in the city.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said the five positive cases were reported from both the urban and rural areas. All were residents of the capital and had contracted the virus from local transmission, he added.

They were shifted to hospital for medical treatment and their conditions were stable.

Samples collected from their family members have been sent for laboratory test and results are awaited.

The neighbours and relatives of the five patients were also approached to confirm if they had met them during the last two weeks.

The families and neighbours of the patients who had met them were advised for self-isolation, he added.

Meanwhile, disinfectant spray was conducted in Bhara Kahu, including Kot Hathial and Shahzad Town, officials of the administration added.

All are residents of Islamabad and contracted virus from local transmission, says DC

The activity was carried out with the help of three fire engines and 12 water tankers. Disinfectant substances were also sprinkled in small streets with the help of 40 hand spray machines.

Police arrest 73 people

The police arrested 73 people during the last two days for violating bans imposed on different activities.

The police caught 35 people for the violation of a ban on pillion riding, 15 for operating passenger vehicles and 14 for violating Section 144. Nine shopkeepers were also arrested for violation of a ban.

Furthermore, the capital administration directed all employers that the period of closure in the capital as a precautionary measure against Covid-19 may be considered for their employees as a paid leave.

A notification issued from the office of Chief Commissioner Amir Ahmed Ali stated that during the closure no worker shall be laid off and all workers shall be paid salaries/remunerations/wages in full by their respective employers.

“Any person disobeying the direction or order issued under this order or any person facilitating in any manner the defiance of this order issued under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1958 shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of PPC as provided under section 3 of the said act as well as applicable labour laws,” it added.

Covid-19 victim buried in Taxila

A 50-year-old woman who died of coronavirus in a local hospital on Sunday was buried at a graveyard early on Monday.

A few health officials, wearing safety gear, offered funeral prayer and performed the burial.

Police and other security forces officials were present and no one from her relatives was allowed to attend her last rituals.

The deceased, a resident of Jameelabad, had recently come from Saudi Arabia after performing Umra. She was admitted to the hospital after she developed Covid-19 symptoms where she tested positive and was put on a ventilator.

Talking to Dawn, Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Faheem said all the family members of the deceased had already been quarantined and their condition was being monitored on a daily basis.

Responding a question, he said medical safety precautions were adopted during her burial as per instructions of the government.

Meanwhile, the body of a 65-year-old man, who died during his quarantine in Gilgit after returning from pilgrimage in Iran, was brought to Wah Cantt for burial.

His funeral was also offered under strict measures in the presence of security forces and police. The deceased had gone to Gilgit to meet relatives there.

When contacted, Deputy District Officer Health Dr Sara Qadeer said “today when the body reached all six people who travelled with the body from Gilgit to Wah were shifted to Wah General hospital where after screening doctors cleared them.”

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2020