K-P Police stand strong against Covid-19
Officials say team has been sent to Mansehra to trace victim’s family. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The fight against the Covid-19 virus is a challenge not just for healthcare providers but also for other essential workers, including law enforcers.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), police officials are falling ill at an alarming rate as they perform their duties on the frontlines against the threat of coronavirus.
According to details gathered by the Express Tribune, so far, more than 195 police officials have contracted the respiratory disease. The good news is that more than 80 have recovered. And the remaining 110 are still fighting their battle against the Covid-19 virus. Out of the total infected officers, more than 56 belong to Peshawar, 86 hail from Malakand, 25 from Mardan, 20 from Kohat, six from Hazara, two from Bannu District, and one from Dera Ismail Khan District.
Despite the odds, police officials plan to serve without fear. One senior officer said the department is working on ensuring that citizens follow the SOPs during Eid this month. “We made sure people follow the SOPs during Ramazan, and now we will make sure they follow the rules during Eid,” said SSP Operations Zahoor Babar Afridi.
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Volunteers
On the other hand, K-P’s police department has a significant number of volunteers. These individuals serve alongside police officials in high-risk areas. They receive Rs.500 per day. On the frontlines, these individuals are most vulnerable. One volunteer who was speaking on the condition of anonymity said: “We don’t even get face masks.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2020.