25 new Covid-19 cases in Islamabad

Just as the government is planning to lift the last restrictions for the prevention of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) infections, the federal capital is experiencing an increase in new cases.

At least 25 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported on Saturday following a sharp decline in the past month. Islamabad District Health Office (DHO) said that newly infected patients include 17 men and eight women.

Though the numbers were far less than the time when the pandemic was at its peak, an increase in the incidence of infections was enough to ring alarm bells, health officials said.

The highest number of cases, five, were reported from Sector G-6 of the federal capital followed by three each from Shehzad Town and G-17.

Further, two each cases were reported from Sector G-11 and Defence Housing Authority (DHA) while one each surfaced from Sectors F-6 and F-11.

DHO officials said that the tally of coronavirus patients in Islamabad has risen to 15,739. However, some 15,144 of them have successfully recovered while 175 succumbed to the virus, they added.

DHO officials said that the number of active coronavirus cases in the federal capital was 395.

The emergence of 25 patients in a day was the highest so far this month, while at least 21 new novel coronavirus cases were reported in the federal capital on August 25 as the curve of cases started to show an upward trend again. DHO had said that the new cases were detected amongst 13 men and eight women.

The majority of doctors in Pakistan have advised the people to continue taking precautionary measures in view of coronavirus pandemic and said although the numbers of patients have declined the threat of the outbreak making a comeback remains.

Doctors have called on the government to take strong action until coronavirus is brought under control.

At least 58% of doctors are dissatisfied with the provision of personal protection equipment (PPEs), however, they described the supply of ventilators in hospitals as satisfactory.

Earlier in August, the federal government allowed the reopening of restaurants, hotels, cinemas, beauty parlours, gyms and other businesses in the hospitality and recreational sectors in the wake of the decline in Covid-19 cases and fatalities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2020.