Three more die of Covid-19
A paramedic uses a swab to take a nasal sample as he conducts a novel coronavirus test at a roadside testing facility in Is-lamabad. PHOTO: NNI
At least three more people died of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Rawalpindi’s Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Thursday.
At least 407 new Covid-19 cases were reported from the federal capital over the past 24 hours, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Thursday, while 92 people contracted the virus in the garrison city.
The latest fatalities in Rawalpindi include Saeed Ahmed, Irshad, and Sakhawat, all residents of Rawalpindi.
The number of Covid-19 patients on ventilators is on the rise too. Sources in HFH told The Express Tribune that 11 patients have been shifted on ventilators while 53 Covid-19 patients are receiving treatment at the healthcare facility.
Meanwhile, two more government colleges were sealed in Rawalpindi for 10 days after students and staff there tested positive for Covid-19.
Director of Colleges Sher Ahmed Satti confirmed to The Express Tribune that the Government Girls College on Murree Road and the Government College for Boys Hashmat Ali will remain shut for 10 days.
The health department will disinfect both institutions daily for the during this period.
Alarming situation
In an alarming development 92 more people became victims of the novel coronavirus during the last 24 hours.
In a handout, Rawaloindi Deputy Commissioner Capt (R) Anwarul Haq said that 80 patients were reported from Rawalpindi district while 12 belonged to other districts.
He said that the number of Covid-19 patients in the district’s hospitals are continuously rising while the district government,health department and others have made arrangements to control the situation.
The DC added that 21 cases were reported from Potohar Town, 16 from Rawalpindi Cantonment, 25 from Rawal Town, three from Gujjar Khan and 15 from Taxila.
He further added that 33 patients were admitted in HFH, three at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, six at Red Crescent, eight at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and one in the Hearts International Hospital.
More areas sealed
Haq said that to control the spread of Covid-19, the district administration has imposed a smart lockdown in various parts of the city and cantonment areas. The areas sealed from November 19 include DHA Phase 1 sector C, Gulshanabad, Hali Road Street 10, Allama Iqbal Street in Muslim Town and Bahria Town Phase 3.
"There will be controlled entry and exit in the said areas identified as hotspots of the viral disease," the DC said. He advised the citizens to avoid crowded places ,wear face masks, stay at home and follow safety measures issued by the government.
Sanitary staff fall sick
The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) Managing Director Awais Manzoor Tarrar on Thursday said 15 workers of the company have tested positive for the virus.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2020.