• Cases cross 1,900 figure in Rawalpindi, Islamabad
• Three shops sealed, 22 public transport vehicles impounded

ISLAMABAD: With the number of Covid-19 cases crossing the 1,900 mark in Islamabad and Rawalpindi districts, orders have been issued to seal 12 more educational institutions as more people were found infected. Furthermore, two people succumbed to coronavirus in Rawalpindi district.

The deceased were identified as Rubina Kousar, 50, and Kosar Parveen, 60.

According to data, 1,497 people tested positive in the capital, with the positivity ratio recorded at 17.5 per cent, which was down from 18.9pc reported on Saturday.

Rawalpindi reported 435 cases and an infection rate of 17.9pc. A number of frontline workers of the district health department have also been infected due to which new team members are being trained to compensate the deficit.

District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said around 8,500 tests were performed on Saturday.

“We have already decided to impose smart lockdowns in different areas of the city; teams are trying to conduct contact tracing and ensuring their presence in these areas,” Dr Zia said, adding that due to huge burden, delays are being experienced in the collection of samples and in announcing results.

“We urge people to wear masks, get vaccinated and strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures so that the situation is controlled. The district administration and our frontline workers have been trying their best to control the situation,” he added.

Meanwhile, orders have been issued to seal Islamabad Model College for Boys Chak Shahzad, Islamabad Model School for Girls (I-X) Kurri, Islamabad Model School (I-V) G-6/4, Islamabad Model School for Boys (I-X) Bhara Kahu, Islamabad Model School for Girls (I-VIII) I-8/1, Islamabad Model School for Girls (VI-X) G-11/1, Islamabad Model School for Girls G-8/2, Islamabad Model School for Girls (VI-X) G-6/1-3, Islamabad Model School for Girls (I-V) Dana Pind Begwal, Islamabad Model School for Boys (I-X) Chattar, Government Boys High School Aliabad and Government Girls High School Morgah.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said the administration and police were working towards sealing areas where cases were being reported and taking action against violators of SOPs.

On Saturday, the district administration decided to seal 30 streets including streets 13 and 79 of G-6/4; street 48 of G-6/1-3 from where 25 cases were reported; streets 14, 20, 30 of G-10/2 (22 cases); streets 3-C, 10, 17 of F-10/2 (18 cases); streets 49 and 58 of I-8/2 (28 cases); streets 4, 21, 46, 55, 57 of Bahria Town Phase III (26 cases); streets 8, 12, 13, 32 and Lane 5 of sector G in DHA-II (22 cases) and streets 2, 4, 11 in sector A of DHA-II (18 cases); street 12 of G-6/2; streets 74 and 26 of G-9/1; street 69 of F-11/1 and streets 27 and 31 of F-8/1 were also sealed.

Rawalpindi

Three shops were sealed in Rawalpindi city and fines imposed on the owners of three hotels for violating SOPs. The operations were carried out by the district administration officials. Moreover, 22 public transport vehicles were also impounded by the Regional Transport Authority.

According to data from the health authority, there are currently 2,122 active patients in the district out of which 59 are in hospitals and 2,063 home isolated.

A total of 115 patients were reported from different parts of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonments, 108 from city areas and 90 patients from Potohar Town.

As many as 29 patients were reported from Gujar Khan, 57 from Taxila, 17 from Kahuta, 10 from Kallar Syedan, two from Kotli Sattian and seven from Murree.

There are 59 patients admitted to hospitals of Rawalpindi city out of whom 15 were in Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 10 in Holy Family Hospital, 14 in Fauji Foundation Hospital, 19 in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and one patient was admitted to Begum Akhtar Rukhsana Memorial Welfare Hospital.

There are three patients on ventilators in Rawalpindi, 35 patients are on oxygen support and 21 are stable.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2022