ISLAMABAD: As the twin cities continue to see a rise in the daily count of Covid-19 cases and deaths, the district administration imposed smart lockdowns in 128 hotspot areas in Rawalpindi district.

Besides, two educational institutions in the capital were sealed after the virus was detected in staff and students.

As many as 748 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 on Wednesday with five people dying of the disease in both the districts. The positivity ratio in the capital was 9.3pc and in Pindi district it was recorded at 13.6pc.

The deceased were identified as Musarrat Begum, 68, resident of Gujar Khan, Abdul Qayyum, 76, resident of Kallar Syedan, Imtiaz Ahmed Qureshi, 70, resident of Israr Housing Scheme and Shaukat Pervaiz, 58, resident of Daraabad. One patient died in Islamabad.

Officials of the capital administration said the District Health Office Islamabad sealed Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2 after eight people tested positive there. Another college in F-7/4 was sealed after infection was found in seven students and staff, they added.

Separate notifications were issued in this regard stating, it is advised to immediately seal the premises of both colleges. Thorough disinfection must be carried out as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of National Health Services, the notification said, adding staff and students who came into contact with the newly emerged patients should be tested.

Five succumb to virus in twin cities; two educational institutions closed in Islamabad

Deputy Commissioner Aamir Aqiq Khan told Dawn that the number of cases had been increasing in Rawalpindi district since the last one week and as per standard operating procedures (SOPs), the government issued directives to impose micro smart lockdowns in 128 hotspot areas of Rawalpindi district till Aug 19.

He said the date could be extended as per directions of the government, adding, teams led by assistant commissioners have been formed to implement SOPs in the district.

Areas where smart lockdowns have been imposed are: Mohawar colony, Pindora, Iqbal Town, Chaklala Scheme-I and III, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Haji Chowk, Asghar Mall, Amarpura, Eidgah, Committee Chowk, Arya Mohallah, Satellite Town, Shamsabad, Muslim Town, Sadiqabad, Saidpur Road, Waris Khan, Gulshan Dadan, Adiala Road, Gulistan Colony, Haripura, Rasool Nagar, Glass Factory, Gulshan Dadan Khan, Pirwadhai, Gora Road and others.

Mr Khan said the local police were asked to deploy officials in these areas so they can restrict movement of people.

“All markets, restaurants, government and private offices will remain closed in hot spots of coronavirus,” secretary health said, adding, “The people in locked down areas can only visit grocery stores and pharmacies.”

In Rawalpindi district, there are 2,079 active patients. As many as 212 patients are in hospitals including 20 from other districts and 1,867 patients are home isolated.

As many as 47 patients are admitted to Holy Family Hospital, 29 to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 73 to Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU), four to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, 48 to Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), four to Hearts International Hospital, three to Bilal Hospital and two patients each to Begum Akhter Sultana Trust Hospital and Attock Hospital.

There are six patients on ventilators in Rawalpindi, 136 are on oxygen support and 70 are stable.

Meanwhile, fines amounting to Rs165,000 were imposed on owners of restaurants and shops for violation of SOPs. Assistant Commissioner Waqas Sikandri sealed 17 shops in Rawalpindi city while seven shops were sealed in Kahuta by Assistant Commissioner Yasir Rizwan and 13 shops and four snooker clubs were sealed in Gujar Khan.

Taxila

As many as 34 shops, stores and business centres were sealed and heavy fines were imposed on violators of SOPs.

Furthermore, seven people were diagnosed with coronavirus in Attock on Wednesday. According to district health authorities, it is the second highest single day score of positive patients in the district during the last two months. District Focal Person for Covid-19 Dr Kashif Hussain said out of the new patients, four belong to Attock city while three to Pindigheb.

As many as six cases were registered against different shopkeepers and traders for violating SOPs.

The local administration also suspended public dealing and sealed the land record centre in Taxila after one of its employees contracted the virus.

Mr Hussain said that the number of active patients in the district is 43 out of whom 42 are home isolated and all are asymptomatic while one only is under treatment in the district. As many as 11 suspected patients are also admitted in hospitals out of whom six are critical.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2021