Covid-19 wards in twin cities almost empty

The novel coronavirus situation in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi appears to have considerably improved with few new cases being registered in each city while the dedicated wards for treating patients have almost emptied.

Until a month ago, some of the health facilities in the twin cities were on the brink of running out of beds but are now housing a few active patients.

Statistics show that in Islamabad, the number of new novel coronavirus (Covid-19) patients emerging in the city fell to 19 a day. In Rawalpindi, this was at just six.

In a survey conducted by The Express Tribune on Tuesday, it was learnt that the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) is the only public hospital in Rawalpindi which is currently housing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) virus patients, with only 13 patients currently receiving treatment there. Of these, nine are receiving supplemental oxygen, three are on ventilators while an asymptomatic patient is isolated.

The other two allied hospitals, including the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital and the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) apart from the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Kidney Transplant (RIUKT) - which has been dedicated for treating Covid-19 patients - have no new coronavirus patients.

It is a similar situation at the two field hospitals set up by the district administration in the city nearly two months ago to accommodate the rush of patients after a surge in cases.

Owing to the few Covid-19 cases, the management of the allied hospitals have started converting wards allocated for virus patients into dengue wards in anticipation of the upcoming transmission season. Dengue counters have already been established in these healthcare facilities with the city reporting its first dengue virus case a week ago. Moreover, anti-dengue surveillance teams are actively working to cull mosquito larvae.

Crime rises

While Covid-19 cases continue to fall, the crime rate in the twin cities seems to have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

A report prepared by the Rawalpindi Region Prisons Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Malik Shaukat Feroze and a team of psychologists at the Rawalpindi Central Jail, homicidal and violent crimes has witnessed an increase of 286% from February to June 2020, when compared to the same period last year. The report reveals that petty crimes such as theft, dacoity, robbery, street crimes and drug peddling have also seen an upward trend, rising by 367%.

The study also revealed an alarming increase in the cybercrime cases, reported during Covid-19, registering an increase of 749%. Violence against women increased by 710%.

The report suggested that the increase in violent crime could be the result of frustration, stress and anxiety due to the pandemic. Rise in theft could be due to poverty, unemployment, and loss of business.

Increase in cybercrimes may be related to increased internet usage, the report said.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2020.