Covid claims six more lives in Rawalpindi

Administration seals 19 commercial centres, 10 restaurants for flouting SOPs

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

The District Health Authority (DHA) has reported six new deaths in Rawalpindi due to the novel coronavirus, taking the toll to 1,022 out of which 785 deaths occurred in Rawalpindi while 237 were from other districts.

According to data issued by DHA, with an addition of 259 new positive cases reported on Friday, the total number of cases rose to 20,234 in the district out of which 18,607 belong to Rawalpindi and 1627 were from other districts.

District Health Coordinator Dr Jawad Zahid said 17,006 patients have been discharged after making a full recovery while 5,369 were in quarantine with 3,123 at homes and 2,246 in isolation wards.

"Presently, 193 confirmed patients are admitted to various facilities of the city," he added. Meanwhile, on the directives of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq, the district administration conducted raids at several places to check for implementation of anti-Covid standard operating procedures (SOPs) and impounded one public service vehicle (PSVs) while 19 commercial centres and 10 restaurants were sealed for flouting SOPs.

According to a spokesperson, the officers conducted raids in Rawalpindi city and all tehsils of the district to ensure implementation of the SOPs issued by the Punjab Government to contain the spread of the virus.

He said 11 raids were conducted at PSV terminals on Friday and those found violating the SOPs were imposed fines amounting to Rs2,500. He added that 40 public places, including parks, were checked while Rs3,000 worth of fines were imposed on those not following the SOPs. Similarly, seven bus and van stands were also inspected and fines amounting to Rs4,500 were imposed on the violators.

Moreover, the administration inspected 113 commercial centres, including shopping malls, markets, plazas and other places, and sealed 19 facilities besides imposing fines amounting to Rs47,500, collectively. In addition to that, 19 marriage halls and 82 restaurants were also checked while 10 restaurants were sealed and fines worth Rs53,500 were imposed on the violators.

Transport to remain suspended

The inter-provincial transport will remain suspended across Punjab on weekends as a protective measure for curbing the spread of the virus, a spokesperson said. Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare has already issued a notification in this regard after approval from the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

Goods supplying transport and those transporting medical equipment and items will be allowed to enter the province, they added. Rawalpindi Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Rashid Ali said that the transporters had been reminded about the ban while RTA teams would monitor bus stands to ensure implementation of the restriction.

The railway service would continue on weekends with 70 percent capacity while flight operation is also operative under the strict implementation of SOPs, he said.

Furthermore, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat announced that all bus terminals for public transport in the federal capital will be shut down at midnight in line with the SOPs issued by the government. He said no public transport would be allowed to enter or exit the city until midnight on Sunday.

"This restriction does not apply to the transportation of goods," he maintained, adding that the information was being shared for the convenience of the public.

Vaccination at Adiala Jail

The vaccination of jail staff and inmates aged over 50 years has begun in jails across Punjab. On the first day, about 122 inmates and 28 staffers of Adiala Jail were administered the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

After a spike in cases in the third wave of coronavirus, the Punjab government jacked up efforts to curb the spread of the virus in the overcrowded Adiala jail and decided to vaccinate the staff and inmates present at the facility.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Adiala Jail Superintendent Aijaz Asghar said there are 227 elderly inmates in the central prison of whom 122 had been administered the first vaccine jab while 105 inmates were yet to receive their first doses.

The official said that 28 staffers have been given the first dose as well while 26 are still left.