Daily Covid caseload hits 3-month high in ICT

350 cases were reported, highest figure during the last two months

ISLAMABAD:

Continuing with the alarming rise, the federal capital has reported 384 new coronavirus cases in a day, which is the highest single-day spike in three months, a spokesperson for the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Friday.

As many as 350 cases were reported on Thursday which was also the highest figure during the last two months while 253 cases were reported on Wednesday.

He said so far 46,963 cases have been recorded in the city with 520 deaths reported from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), adding that 43,658 patients had been recovered completely. On Thursday, the rate of Covid positive cases soared from one to six percent in the federal capital and is expected to increase further, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia had said.

Given the spike, a letter was issued to all hospitals directing them to ensure implementation of precautionary guidelines along with taking emergency measures to increase operational capacity, he added.

Meanwhile, 87 more people tested positive for Covid in a day in Rawalpindi, taking the tally of positive cases to 13,545 in the district.

According to daily situation report issued by the District Health Authority, a total 87 confirmed patients admitted to various facilities of the city included 13 each in Holy Family Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 34 in Institute of Cardiology, 23 in Fauji Foundation Hospital, three in Red Crescent Corona Centre and one in Attock Hospital in Rawalpindi.

The report elaborated that eight patients were on the ventilator in critical condition while 44 were stable and 35 were in moderate condition.

Furthermore, Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq urged the business community to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the virus to ensure safe working conditions and to reduce the threat of increasing Covid-19 spread.