HARIPUR/BAJAUR: Smart lockdown was imposed in different Haripur and Bajaur localities on Friday following emergence of fresh Covid-19 cases.

Haripur deputy commissioner Nadeem Nasir imposed smart lockdown at 23 different points across the district following reports of coronavirus cases.

According to a notification, district health officer Dr Saifullah Khalid had recommended imposing a seven-day smart lockdown in 23 streets after over two dozen houses were said to have reported new positive patients.

The restricted areas included Hattar, Mohallah Thapla Khalabat Township, Akhoon Bandi, Shah Mohammad, Muslim Town, Sector No 4 Khalabat Township, Afghan Camp No 5, Kangra Colony, Gujjar Mohra, Dhenda, Panian, Tofkiyan, Jama Utman, Siriya, Sohbra City Ghazi, Sikandar Pur and others.

Policemen have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the streets, where houses of positive patients are located.

Meanwhile, the Bajaur district administration imposed smart lockdown in two areas of Utmankhel tehsil following emergence of Covid-19 cases.

According to a statement, the restrictions were imposed in far-flung Dhando and Fajigram localities.

The statement did not mention the number of cases, adding a team of officials was immediately sent to the localities to impose the restrictions after the emergence of cases.

It said no one would be allowed in and outside of these areas for 14 days.

The statement said police personnel had been deployed in both the areas.

Meanwhile, the positivity ratio of Covid-19 cases in Abbottabad district has registered a downward trend in the last few days as the infection rate has dropped to 2.75 per cent, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday.

Deputy commissioner Mughees Sanaullah said the drop in cases was because of ‘strict’ implementation of the SOPs.

According to the NCOC data, 437 tests were conducted during the past 24 hours, of which only 12 cases were found positive, which is 2.75pc.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2021