Residents adopt face masks amid increase in positivity ratio

"It's encouraging to see citizens of the federal capital taking precautionary steps for their safety from coronavirus," said a senior citizen of Sector G-6 on Sunday. He said the government was taking different steps to stop the spread of coronavirus but citizens should also help the government to overcome this ordeal.

A resident of Sector F-6, voicing similar sentiments, said that everyone should follow the SOPs set by the government for protection from coronavirus. Meanwhile, a resident of Sector G-8 Markaz stressed that it is his moral duty to wear a mask and ensure the safety of others, which he also expects from others.

He added that it's a blessing that masks are available at every medical store and other shops for Rs5 and for Rs150 per box so people can easily purchase and wear it to protect themselves against Covid-19. It is pertinent to mention that an increase was seen in the number of Covid-19 cases and positivity ratio in the capital over the weekend.

According to officials of the capital administration, 7,888 tests were conducted, with the positivity rate climbing to 9.4 per cent on Saturday compared to 7.7 per cent on Friday. The number of active cases of corona in Islamabad has surpassed 13,000, the official added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2021.