ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The district administration has sealed 10streets in two I-10 sub-sectors after nine new Covid-19 cases were detected there.

There have now been 50 cases reported from I-10/1 and I-10/4.

Last week, the administration sealed both sub-sectors entirely because of the prevalence of Covid-19. After residents were inconvenienced, the administration unsealed both sub-sectors on Saturday and decided to seal the three streetsin I-10/4 that hadthe highest number of cases.

On Sunday, another seven streets were sealed after nine more cases were reported.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that the administration decided to seal streets rather than whole sub-sectors even though cases were reported from different parts of both I-10/1 and I-10/4 because “almost 30 cases were reported from four streets”.

More Covid-19 cases confirmed from the area

According to district administration documents available with Dawn, streets 31-A, 31-C, 98, 107 and 112 are the five streetssealed in I-10/4. Streets66, 67, 71 and 90 as well as the Umer Shopping Centre have been sealed in I-10/1.

The administration has directed the police, army and Rangers to cordon off areas for public safety.

Mr Shafqaat said the decision to seal both sub-sectors was made after 38 Covid-19 cases were reported there, but this was replaced in pursuit of a “smart lockdown” policy under which three I-10/4 streets were sealed.

“However, as four cases were reported on Saturday and nine on Sunday, it was decided to seal seven more streets in the sub-sectors,” he said.

Mr Shafqaat said that entry and exit is banned when a street is sealed.

“We usually provide edibles such as vegetables and flour for free, but in some cases people pay for edible items. Once the areas are cleared the streets will be unsealed,” he said.

When asked, he said that nearly two dozen cases are being reported in Islamabad every day.

Covid-19 tally in Rawalpindi reaches 640

Another 35 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Rawalpindi, three patients from the cantonment areas have died and 12 were discharged after recovering on Sunday.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Rawalpindi alone has reached 640, and 36 people have died in the last month.

A 55-year-old man from Dheri Hassanabad who was brought to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) on May 2 with symptoms of Covid-19 died early on Sunday.

A 27-year-old resident of Tench Bhatta, who was also brought to BBH on May 2 in critical condition, died late at night. He was isolated at home prior to coming to the hospital. A 58-year-old man who lived in Delhi Mohallah was also brought to BBH on May 2 and died early on Sunday.

According to doctors, none of the deceased had a history of travelling abroad and had contracted Covid-19 through local transmission.

Most of Rawalpindi district’s 35 new Covid-19 patients are from the Chaklala and Rawalpindi cantonments.

There are currently 424 Covid-19 patients being treated at hospitals and 92 patients isolated at home. Apart from this, 234 suspected patients have been brought to Rawalpindi’s three hospitals and their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health; results will take three to four days.

District health authority officials said 644 people have tested negative for Covid-19 in the past three days.

They said samples from close contacts of confirmed patients have also been sent to the laboratory for testing.

Local administrations have quarantined 1,200 people who have been identified as close contacts of confirmed patients; 1,104 people have been quarantined at home, 92 in hospitals and four in quarantine centres. There are 160 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat who are also quarantined at home.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that the number of Covid-19 cases is continuing to rise in the four districts of Rawalpindi division; there have now been 640 cases in Rawalpindi, 127 in Jhelum, 50 in Attock and 10 in Chakwal.

He said the number of patients in Rawalpindi is rising compared to the other three districts; the district administrations have been asked to prepare a survey regarding hotspots for future planning.

A total of 307 patients have recovered from the disease, he said. The breakdown is 180 in Rawalpindi, 105 in Jhelum, 15 in Attock and seven in Chakwal.

He added that 84 more centres that will distribute Rs12,000 per family under the Ehsaas Programme will open today (Monday).

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2020