ISLAMABAD: As many as four people succumbed to Covid-19 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi district on Friday as 672 people tested positive in the region Positivity rate in the capital was recorded at 10.6pc, the capital administration officials said, adding that the deaths were reported in the age groups of 60-69 and 90 and above. Both were male patients, residents of Lohi Bher and Jhangi Syedan.

There is a minor increase in the number of positive cases and positivity rate compared to Thursday, the officials said, adding during the last 24 hours 4,247 tests were conducted.

On Thursday, 441 cases with a 10.5pc positivity rate were recorded, they added.

Furthermore, the infection rate in Rawalpindi district increased again to over 16pc and two patients died on Friday and 82 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovering.

The deceased were identified as Maqsood Begum, 92, resident of Kallar Syedan, brought to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Musarat Jabeen, 74, resident of Adiala Road, brought to Fauji Foundation Hospital.

Punjab health authorities recommended to impose smart lockdowns in three areas of Rawalpindi city - street 6 and 7 in Asghar Mall where four patients surfaced, street 8 in Chaklala Scheme-III where five people were found infected and Gulshanabad, Adiala Road, as five people tested positive on Aug 6.

On the other hand, the district administration asked traders to close markets and bazaars two days a week — Friday and Saturday - till Aug 31. Assistant commissioners have been told to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) in public places.

In Rawalpindi district, there are 1,644 active patients — 179 in hospitals including 20 who arrived from other districts and 1,465 patients are home isolated.

Meanwhile, due to a recent spike in Covid-19 cases, City Traffic Police made Covid-19 vaccination certificates mandatory for all service centres including Traffic Police Headquarters.

According to a spokesman, vaccination certificates have been made mandatory for all services and in case of no vaccination, entry will be restricted in all service centres including traffic headquarters and no facilities will be provided.

“Individuals without Covid-19 vaccination certification and without face mask will not be allowed inside the traffic office,” the spokesman said, adding partially vaccinated individuals holding proof of partial vaccination verified through SMS will be allowed and facilitated.

Earlier, a senior traffic warden died after contracting the virus and more than 250 were affected due to the pandemic. Even though they have recovered, the traffic police have been taking precautionary measures to ensure safety of their staff and public as well. — Additional reporting by Mohammad Asghar

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2021