RAWALPINDI: The district administration has finalised three areas where the government’s new ‘micro lockdown’ strategy will be implemented, although the final decision on this matter will be made tomorrow (Monday).

The three selected areas are Chur Chowk on Misrial Road, Sara-i-Kala in Taxila and three streets in Bahria Town Phase VIII.

Under the new strategy, localised lockdowns will be limited to streets, small neighbourhoods or one building with multiple units.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq told Dawn that the administration has identified areas where these lockdowns can be implemented, although the final decision will be made on Monday.

He said that there has been a slight increase in Covid-19 patients, but there are still few critical patients in hospitals. There are eight patients in the high dependency unit and two are on ventilators, he said.

At least 25 more people tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday in Rawalpindi district, while one patient died.

Final decision on localised lockdowns in Chur Chowk, Sara-i-Kala and Bahria Town Phase VIII to be made tomorrow

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that all four district administrations have been asked to identify areas, houses and streets for the micro lockdowns.

He said the coronavirus has not been eradicated and people should comply with standard operating procedures issued by the government to protect themselves and their families. The district administration has been asked to monitor the implementation of SOPs in public areas and offices, he said, adding that no one should be permitted to enter shops or public or private offices without masks.

With the new patients reported on Saturday, Rawalpindi has reported 6,645 confirmed cases with 280 deaths and 6,188 recoveries. There are still 209 suspected patients awaiting test results from laboratories in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Holy Family Hospital HFH), District Headquarters Hospital and the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology.

There are 99 patients being treated at these hospitals and 69 patients isolated in their homes. Local administrations have also quarantined 289 people who were in close contact with previously confirmed patients.

According to data from Rawalpindi division, 8,010 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last five months and 7,457 have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the disease. There have been 346 deaths across all four districts.

Islamabad

Another 19 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in Islamabad. Seven of the new patients are female and 12 are male.

Capital administration officials said 11 new cases were reported on Aug 19, followed by 13 on Aug 20 and 28 on Aug 21.

Five cases were reported from G-9, four from F-11/4, two from Margalla Town and one case each from F-8, F-10, Chak Shahzad, G-7, DHA, I-10, Soan Garden and Bahria Town.

The District Health Office has traced 379 contacts of the 28 patients who tested positive on Friday, the officials said. Samples have been collected from 354 suspected patients and sent to the National Institute of Health for testing.

All 28 patients are isolated in their homes and their 354 contacts are quarantining in their homes.

Attock

After few cases reported over the last two weeks, nine people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Attock, bringing the tally to 600.

According to report issued by the local health department, five cases were reported in Attock city and four in Hazro town.

The district’s focal person on Covid-19 Dr Asif Arbab Niazi told the press that there are 32 active patients across the district, of which 31 are under home isolation and one is in hospital.

Another 1,456 suspected patients are still awaiting their test results, Dr Niazi said in response to a question. So far, 548 patients have recovered in the district. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2020