Smart, micro lockdowns back as coronavirus rears head again in Karachi

The city administration decided on Friday to impose smart lockdowns in certain areas of four districts of Karachi and micro-lockdowns in the remaining two, so as to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Smart lockdowns will be imposed in East, West, Central and South districts and micro-lockdowns in Korangi and Malir districts.

A meeting, headed by Karachi commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani and attended by deputy commissioners (DCs) and district health officers (DHOs), was called to review the pandemic situation following the rise in Covid-19 cases.

After DCs informed the meeting about the current scenario and briefed the participants on the implementation of coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs), they were directed to issue the notification for the lockdowns. Among them, DCs who had already consulted the relevant DHOs on the matter were asked to issue the notifications immediately, while others were given a day's time, until today (Saturday), to discuss the matter with the relevant DHOs and issue the notifications.

At this, the DCs assured the meeting that they had identified the areas worst affected by Covid-19 in their respective districts and notifications for lockdown would be issued soon.

Addressing the meeting, Shallwani said, "Lockdowns need to be enforced in affected areas and SOPs must be strictly followed in order to control the spread of the virus." He directed the DCs to make all-out efforts for the implementation of SOPs and continue ensuring that the guidelines were followed, particularly at marriage halls, restaurants and supermarkets.

According to health department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf, the decision to impose lockdowns in the city was decided during a National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting, keeping in view the rising coronavirus cases.

"The cases are increasing and the provincial government suggested that lockdowns be imposed in certain areas," she told The Express Tribune, adding that the lockdown will be expanded if the next NCOC meeting, scheduled to take place in the coming week, decided so.

South district

At a separate meeting, held at the South DC's office, special assistant to Sindh chief minister and focal person on coronavirus Waqar Mehdi said Covid-19 cases were on the rise in the South district and SOPs needed to be followed strictly there.

"Over the past day, 210 cases have emerged in South district, which is alarming," he raised concern and directed that the drive-through coronavirus testing facility in Clifton be improved.

South DC Irshad Ali Sodhar told the meeting that the highest number of coronavirus infections in the district was reported from Civil Lines.

South DHO Dr Raj Kumar said the district had around 2,500 active cases, of which 72 were in hospitals and seven patients were in critical condition. He further stated that two doctors in the district had tested positive, while the result of another one was awaited and two nurses had started showing Covid-19 symptoms.

According to Dr Kumar, the district's sampling capacity is 500 tests per day, but just 350 samples from the district are tested daily.

"This needs to be increased," he stressed, adding that 2,000 samples of suspected Covid-19 cases had been sent to the Indus Hospital for testing from last Monday to Friday and the results were awaited.

Tackling the pandemic

Lauding the services of the police in battling the pandemic, Mehdi called for setting up a testing facility for cops at the Police Hospital, Garden.

Besides, Mehdi said separate ambulances should be arranged for transporting Covid-19 patients to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Lyari General Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

He also directed the South SSP to put security measures in place at testing facilities.

Sodhar added that a Covid-19 database would be set up at the district level as part of measures taken to control the virus' spread, while hospitals' medical superintendents would be invited to the next meeting so that the resources required and available for the purpose can be assessed.

Marriage halls

Meanwhile, Shallwani met the representatives of the Marriage Halls Association at his office and directed them to ensure the implementation of SOPs at the wedding venues.

He reminded marriage hall owners that they are allowed to host only outdoor events, with no more than 300 guests per event. Moreover, he said, buffets are not allowed at any event.

'Unprecedented rise'

The coronavirus pandemic has been showing an unprecedented rise, said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday, as he revealed that the contagion had claimed 19 more lives in the province and 1,276 more people were diagnosed with the infection.

Now, he said, Sindh's cumulative Covid-19 death toll has reached 2,799, and the infection tally 161,028.

According to the CM, of the newly reported cases, 929 were reported from Karachi, 130 from Hyderabad, 36 from Umerkot, 24 from Jacobabad, 18 from Ghotki, 17 from Sukkur and as many from Tando Allahyar, 15 from Qambar-Shahdadkot, 12 each from Larkana and Shikarpur, six from Dadu, two from Jamshoro and as many from Sanghar and one each from Khairpur and Badin.

Besides, the CM said, 827 patients had recovered from Covid-19, raising the total recoveries so far in the province to 145,143.

This leaves 13,086 active cases here, he explained, adding that among them 12,537 were in home isolation, nine at isolation centres and 544 admitted to hospitals. Of these patients, at least 466 are critically ill, with 48 on ventilators, the CM added.