Daily caseload hits all-time high

Markets to remain closed on weekends, restaurants to close at 10pm in capital

ISLAMABAD:

The third wave of coronavirus has intensified in the federal capital as 747 new coronavirus (Covid-19) cases were reported on Friday.

It is pertinent to mention that the daily positivity rate of Covid-19 cases has reached 8.5 per cent, the highest since the onset of the pandemic. The total number of Covid-19 cases in the city has reached 50,096 while five more people lost their lives on Friday.

The DHO said 51 per cent of the ventilators reserved for critical patients are currently being used. An advisory issued by the District Health Authority stated that sick people should maintain their distance to restrict contact with others, use face masks, as well as hand sanitisers, before going to markets, spend minimum time inside the shop, organise gatherings in open spaces instead of closed places, wash hands regularly with handwash or soap, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, cover nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when sneezing, dispose of tissue immediately, clean frequently used items such as phone screens, door handles, and get elders vaccinated.

As a result of the rising positivity rate, the Islamabad administration has announced more restrictions in the federal capital.

According to a notification issued on Friday, the out-door dining facility is suspended after 10 pm while markets and restaurants will remain closed completely on weekdays (Saturday and Sunday).

The notification further stated that grocery and medical stores will, however, remain open during the restricted period, adding that hotels and restaurants will be allowed to offer takeaway services.

It was also mentioned that corona vaccination centres in the capital will remain closed on Sundays and other public holidays.

However, vaccination drive against Covid-19 is in full swing in the federal capital as 23,926 frontline health workers and senior citizens have been inoculated so far. A further 38,643 have registered for the vaccination while 32,053 are scheduled to receive the jabs in the coming days, a spokesperson said on Friday.

As per government statistics, out of a total of 4,576 people, 3,469 have been vaccinated against at Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital, 7,149 out of 9,799 registered ones have been vaccinated at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences while 2,683 out of 3,621 got the vaccine at Poly Clinic Hospital.

Similarly, 870 out of 1,736 registered people received it at Bhara Kahu Rural Health Centre (RHC), 4,519 out of 5,242 got the vaccine at Tarlai RHC, and 2,127 out of 4,799 people were vaccinated in Federal General Hospital Chak Shehzad. Moreover, out of a total of 1,571 frontline health workers, 307 have been vaccinated in Sihala, 317 out of 670 people were vaccinated at Akbar S Niazi Hospital, 578 out of 2,108 registered people received the jabs in Naram, 538 out of 1,161 people received them at Kulsoom Hospital, 165 out of 649 got them at Infectious Treatment Centre, 748 out of 1,246 people got them at Quaid-i-Azam Hospital, 236 out of 633 received them at Social Security Hospital, and 221 out of 832 registered people were administered the vaccine at CDA Medical Centre.

Furthermore, the Covid-19 immunisation drive for the general public, including frontline healthcare workers and senior citizens is underway at 23 centres of the Rawalpindi district. District Health Officer Dr Jawad Khalid stated on Friday that as many as 12,793 people, including 3,290 healthcare workers and 3,552 senior citizens, have got themselves vaccinated against the virus as of Thursday.

He informed that 443 people had been given the vaccine at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Taxila, 256 at THQ Murree, 359 at THQ Kahuta, 375 at THQ Gujjar Khan, 216 at THQ Kotli Sattian, 468 at THQ Kallar Syedan, 1,984 at Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, 2,018 at Holy Family Hospital, 1,084 at DHQ Hospital, 2,142 at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 153 at Govt TB Sanatorium Samli, 687 at Wah General Hospital, 646 at Shahbaz Sharif Complex, 122 at Tehsil Office (TO) Taxila, 96 at TO Kallar Syedan, 210 at TO Gujjar Khan, 12 at TO Kotli Sattiyan, 50 at TO Murree, 166 at TO Potohar, 155 at TO Kahuta, while 1,151 senior citizens received the jabs at Red Crescent Centre.

Meanwhile, about 114,818 Covid suspects have so far been brought to quarantine facilities, out of which 15,812 cases tested positive, including 14,401 from Rawalpindi and 1,411 from other districts. They were provided with the required treatment and 14,036 were discharged after making a full recovery, an official stated.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Faiza Kanwal said that the number of coronavirus cases is considerably increasing as the third wave of the pandemic is more deadly compared to the previous waves in the country.

She advised the residents to wear face masks, maintain social distance and avoid visiting crowded places.