Covid claims 4 lives in two days

Four people died of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the past two days, while 164 people were tested positive for the infection raising alarms in the healthcare and district administration of a likely second wave of the pandemic. People in general had lowered the guard against the pandemic, which had waned in August despite repeated warnings by the authorities to observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) like wearing facemask, maintaining social distancing and using hand sanitisers.

There is rush of students in vans and busses, and they hardly wear masks outside the educational institutions. Though the rate of new cases had almost flattened in late August and early September following opening of public parks, recreational spots, marriage halls, cinemas and theatres and finally schools, there has come a spike in new cases in recent weeks.

According to the District Health Office (DHO), the rate of new cases of coronavirus is increasing rapidly in Islamabad. Another 73 new cases of Covid19 came to light in Islamabad on Friday, after 91 were tested positive of Thursday.

Educational institute in Islamabad sealed after coronavirus cases

At least three patients infected with coronavirus died on Friday while one had succumbed to the disease the other day. According to the DHO report, 32 men and 41 women were among the new cases of Covid-19. According to the report, there are currently 566 active cases of coronavirus in Islamabad.

The total number of coronavirus patients in Islamabad has reached 17,122 out of which 16,256 have recovered and 187 have died.

Moreover, five people in Rawalpindi and one in Chakwal were tested positive for the virus. Amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus in the country, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood had said that the federal government has no intention to close educational institutions again.

“With the blessing of Almighty Allah, we are in a position to send our children to schools, the decision of closing schools during the outbreak was a good assessment which has saved our education sector and now we have no intention to close educational institutions again,” he said earlier this week. However, the lax attitude of school administrations and students regarding the SOPs is pushing up the infection numbers.

All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (AAPSCA) President Raja Ilyas and Rawalpindi District Education Authority (DEA) Member Irfan Muzaffar Kiyani said that many parents were reluctant to send minors to school.