Punjab

Six doctors contract coronavirus

Wedding halls owners, workers in a fix due to latest restrictions

Our Correspondent November 10, 2020

A healthcare worker wearing a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) hood works at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site at the Sanford Sports Complex Clinic, as the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak continues in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US, October 28, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

RAWALPINDI:

At least six doctors of Gujjar Khan Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) contracted the novel coronavirus disease (Coviod-19) while three fatalities were reported in the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Monday.

At least two residents of Rawalpindi including Shafi and Nauman and Fazal from Jhelum died of the virus at the HFH. The number of infected patients receiving treatment at the healthcare facility has reached 64 among which nine are on ventilators.

The district health authority chief executive officer has sent all six doctors of Gujjar Khan THQ under home isolation.

The official further directed the entire medical staff to strictly observe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) devised to stem virus spread.

Further, Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Umar is also observing home isolation after contracting the virus. Family members reported that health of the official is stable and would stay in isolation for five more days.

Moreover, the health authorities have also advised the citizens to implement precautionary measures to remain protected against the virus during the second wave.

Lay-offs haunt catering staff

Meanwhile, the fear of getting laid off once again starts to hang on thousands of employees working at marquees and wedding halls due to fresh restrictions to curb novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), people linked with the catering industry said.

The marriage halls across the country will be shut down again from November 20, leaving thousands of employees in a quandary who had resumed jobs after seven months following the first lockdown and had just started to sigh relief.

Rough estimate shows that there are over 10,000 marriage halls and marquees in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and over 40,000 families depend upon them to run kitchens. However, the decision taken by the government has left thousands of poor employees as well as owners in dire straits and they are uncertain about their future.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2020.