Six, including warden die, of Covid

A traffic warden was among six persons who died of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours in the twin cities.

Out of the six new deaths, five were reported in Rawalpindi, including three at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) while two patients died at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

The number of patients in three hospitals of Rawalpindi – the BBH, the HFH, and the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital – has reached 266. Of these, 229 patients are on oxygen while seven have been shifted on ventilators.

Sources in the hospital said that the number of patients who need to be shifted on oxygen was rising sharply.

Warden loses battle

The frontline workers trying to keep the people safe from the ravages of Covid-19 in Rawalpindi are beginning to fall victim to the dreaded disease and traffic wardens are no exception. A traffic warden of the city died in Islamabad of complications arising from contracting Covid-19 according to a police department spokesman.

He said Traffic Warden Hammad Ali was hospitalised a few days ago after he contracted Covid-19 while performing his duty in Cantonment Circle. Unfortunately, he lost the battle against coronavirus. He added the late Hammad was a resident of Taxila and 38 years old. He joined the traffic police in 2007 and served it diligently and dedication for 14 years. He is survived by a widow and two daughters.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Ahsan Younas said that the police of the city were playing a yeoman’s role for the safety of citizens and ensuring SOPs were being followed in the battle against Covid-19.

He further said the Rawalpindi police would provide the best medical treatment possible to traffic police personnel and officers as they were among the frontline workers striving to keep the public safe from coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Islamabad District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia urged elderly people to get vaccinated immediately. In a video message, the DHO asked the people aged 65 and above to walk into the vaccination centres to avail the facility.

He said that the district health department had vaccines available in adequate quantity and awaiting people seeking to be vaccinated.

At present, the federal capital has around 10,283 positive cases, while 7,872 people were tested for Covid-19 in a day.

Covid infects children

The district health administration said in a press note that 5,981 children up to 10 years of age have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Islamabad so far. Of these, 97 children tested positive in the last 24 hours.

The number of young children infected with the deadly virus in the federal capital is rising continuously. Health experts said that the implementation of SOPs was the only way to protect children from the virus.

The health authorities have advised mothers and caregivers of children to avoid kissing children and only handle them after washing and disinfecting their hands.

Parents have also been advised to not let their children play outside the house and meeting others unnecessarily.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2021.