Twin cities in grip of 2nd wave of pandemic

At least 155 people in Islamabad, 15 in Pindi test positive

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

The second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has led to an increase in the number of patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. At least 155 people were tested positive for the virus on Friday while as many as 15 patients checked in to hospitals in Rawalpindi.

Among the 15 patients in Rawalpindi, two have been put on ventilator while three positive cases reported from an educational institution situated in a private housing society led to closure of the school. According to health officials non-implementation of SOPs during the second wave of Covid-19 has led to an increase in the number of patients suffering from the virus.

They said that 10 public heath safety squads constituted by the provincial health department to implement Covid-19 SOPs have become vigilant. In addition to sealing a building after report of three Covid-19 cases in a private school of a housing society on Friday, the safety squads also carried out disinfection spray and instructed all individuals to fully comply with Covid-19 SOPs.

Cases surge I capital The total number of active Covid-19 cases have surged from 530 a few weeks ago to 933 in Islamabad on Friday. Among the 155 cases reported in the capital, 82 were men and 73 were women. According the Islamabad District Health Authority the total tally of coronavirus infections stands at 17,781, out of which 16,557 have recovered while 191 have died.

There are 933 active cases in Islamabad. Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said the other day that there were “unmistakable signs” of resurgence in coronavirus infections, pointing out that Covid-19 positivity rate 2.37% a day earlier -- the highest in more than 50 days. “The last time this level was seen was on August 23," the minister, who heads the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19, tweeted. Umar further noted that there had also been a spike in coronavirus deaths.

“The average number of Covid deaths during the first four days of this week was 11 per day, the highest since the week of August 10,” he elaborated. “Unmistakable signs of the rise of corona." Blatant violation of coronavirus SOPs Concerned citizens in Jhelum said that school children are being forced into school and college vans without adhering to Covid-19 SOPs. The district administration is taking no action against the school managements and van drivers over the blatant violation of SOPs. Per the details, the government has issued strict orders for following social distancing to curb the spread of the contagion.

The school and college going children both of government and private schools and children are forced into buses, wagons, two-stroke vehicles and rickshaws offering pick and drop services. The overcrowded vehicles are stuffed beyond capacity increasing threat of Covid-19 spread. The parents of the children have demanded the district management including DSP traffic to take strict action against transporters involved in the malpractice to keep the children safe and protected from deadly diseases.