ISLAMABAD: A decline was seen in the number of Covid-19 cases in the capital on Monday, but the positivity rate increased.

During the last 24 hours, 4,093 tests were conducted out of which 523 people were found infected and the positivity rate increased to 12.77pc.

On Sunday, 650 people had tested positive out of 5,507 tests with the positivity rate of 11.80pc.

Besides, four patients succumbed to Covid-19 on Monday and seven on Sunday.

On Saturday, the death of a male patient each was reported in the age group of 40-49 and 80-89 while a female each died in the age group of 50-59 and 70-79. They were the residents of Tarlai, G-7, Model Town and D-13.

Six succumb to virus in twin cities

On Sunday, the death of a female patient each was reported in the age group of 40-49 and 90-99, a male each in the age group of 70-79 and 80-89. Two male and female patients also passed away in the age group of 60-69.

Two of them were the residents of Bhara Kahu and one each of G-6, G-10, G-7, and Sohan. The address of one deceased could not be known.

The number of active cases is 12,632, said the officials, adding so far 642 patients have died in the capital.

The occupancy rate of beds for Covid-19 patients stands at 63pc, as 508 of the 806 beds allocated in 15 hospitals are occupied.Likewise, the number of ventilators in 12 hospitals has been increased to 114 out of which 55 (48.24) are occupied.

Rawalpindi

Two patients died of Covid-19 and 68 more people tested positive in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Moreover, 1,006 patients were discharged from hospitals after their recovery from the disease.

Rasheeda Begum, 85, a resident of Chittian Hattian near Committee Chowk, was admitted to the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) on April 18 where she died.

Abdul Latif, 70, was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital from Allama Iqbal Mohalla in Tench Bhatta on April 17 where he also died.

Of the new patients, 45 were brought to hospitals from the garrison city - 12 from the cantonment, 16 from Potohar Town and 17 from Rawal Town. Moreover, 12 patients were brought from Taxila, five from Islamabad, one each from Attock, Gujar Khan, Murree, Lahore, Haripur and KP.

There are 2,222 active patients in the district - 174 in hospitals and 2,048 home isolated. Besides, 655 patients are waiting for the results of their Covid-19 serology.

Officials said 25 of the new patients were admitted to Holy Family Hospital, 14 to Benazir Bhutto Hospital, three to District Headquarters Hospital, 110 to the RIU, 19 to Fauji Foundation Hospital and three to the Hearts International Hospital.

As many as 26 patients are on ventilators and 113 on oxygen.

On the other hand, the district administration conducted raids in different parts of Rawalpindi division to check the implementation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A senior official said 880 sites were checked and fines amounting to Rs102,500 were imposed on marriage halls, restaurants. He said 5,724 outlets were also sealed in the four districts.

According to the official, Rs15,500 fine was imposed on public transport, Rs63,500 on shopping malls and shops, Rs23,500 on restaurants and Rs5,700 in public places.

Vaccination of prisoners

The vaccination of 266 prisoners and 53 staff members above the age of 60 years has been completed in the Adiala jail.

According to jail sources, the vaccination was started early this month after a surge in the coronavirus cases in the province.

There are total 727 jail staffers, including 28 females, and 54 of them are above the age of 50 years. They would be vaccinated in the second stage.

Jail superintendent Chaudhry Asghar Ali had written to the district health authorities requesting them to send a team to vaccinate the jail staff and prisoners.

Following the request, a health team visited the jail and started the vaccination.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2021