ISLAMABAD: Five more educational institutions were sealed in the capital on Thursday after 13 people contracted the virus on the premises. On the other hand, three elderly patients lost their lives after battling with the disease in Islamabad and Rawalpindi districts.

As many as 754 people were diagnosed with the virus in Islamabad district and the positivity ratio was recorded at 10.8 per cent.

In Rawalpindi district, two elderly patients died of the disease and 155 new cases emerged. The deceased were identified as Zatal Rauf (84) and Zaibun Nisa (78).

The names of institutions that were sealed are: Islamabad Model College for Girls PM Staff Colony followed by Islamabad Model School for Girls Shadran Kalan, Islamabad Model School (I-V) F-7/2, Islamabad Model School for Girls (I-V) Herdogher and Islamabad Model School (I-V) G-9/1.

Three casualties reported from twin cities

Since Jan 16, 169 schools and colleges have been sealed in the capital as more than 670 virus cases emerged among staff and students.

Besides, 25 educational institutions were also opened, District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said, adding out of these 17 were sealed on Jan 27, seven on Jan 26 and one on Jan 21.

Officials of the capital administration said 25 cases were reported from Rawat followed by 23 from Loi Bher, 17 from I-8, 15 from G-5, 14 each from G-11 and F-10, 12 each from F-7 and G-8, 11 from G-9, 10 each from E-11 and F-11, eight each from G-10 and F-8, seven each from I-10 and Bhara Kahu, six each from G-13 and F-6, five each from G-7, Khanna, Tarlai, and H-9, four each from Sohan and D-12, three each from G-6, I-9, Chak Shahzad, and Alipur, two each from Sihala, H-13 H-12 and Shah Allahditta, and one each from Koral, G-15, Kurri, Rawal Town, I-14, D-17 and Tarnol.

The number of active cases in the capital now stands at 13,488. Out of this number, 98 are admitted in different hospitals, 86 are on oxygen support and 10 are on ventilators.

Rawalpindi

Two persons died, 155 people tested positive in the district while 248 patients were discharged from hospitals after their recovery in the last 24 hours.

As per data released by the Punjab government, the positivity ratio in the district was recorded at 9.16pc as 1,692 samples were collected out of which 155 people tested positive.

There are 2,628 active patients - 106 in hospitals and 2,522 home isolated.

Total 42 patients arrived from cantonment areas while 22 from the city areas and 33 from Potohar Town, 14 from Gujar Khan, 17 from Kallar Syedan, six from Kotli Sattian, six each from Taxila, Islamabad, five from AJK and one each from Jhelum, Attock, Bagh and Chakwal.

The patients of Covid-19 were admitted in different hospitals of Rawalpindi city including Nine patients are admitted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 35 at Fauji Foundation Hospital, three at Holy Family Hospital, 56 at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and one patient each at Attock Hospital Rawalpindi, Bilal Hospital and Hearts International Hospital.

Five patients on ventilators, 61 on oxygen and 40 are stable.

Implementation of SOPs urged

Government institutions, especially the health department, have been urged to take drastic steps to curb further spread of the Omicron variant.

Soban Nadeem, the director of Knocking Angles, an NGO, told media in Taxila that the rapid increase in the number of positive cases was mainly due to non-implementation of the SOPs by the general public and WHO guidelines by state intuitions, especially educational institutions.

Quoting Fafen’s recently released report, Mr Nadeem said Pakistan had the lowest per capita testing capacity in the region.

He stressed the need for reinstating some of the strict measures which helped slowing down the spread of the infection, including stringent compliance of the SOPs adopted previously.

“The government also needs to have transparent and interactive communication about the vaccine’s selection and disbursement. Failure to do so will make the procurement process dubious and may also affect the credibility and acceptance of vaccines among the public,” he added.

NGO’s chairperson Munazaz Peerzada said lack of public trust and seriousness was already hindering the effort to implement the SOPs while a similar public attitude towards vaccination was bound to compound the pandemic’s impact on the community. She urged the need for transparency and merit in the section, procurement and disbursement of vaccines. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022