Corona claims 13 more lives

10 additional areas to go under smart lockdown in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

The deadly coronavirus has killed 13 more people in Rawalpindi. Two patients succumbed to the virus at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), five at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), and six at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Kidney Liver Transplant (RIUKT), sources stated on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, as many as 95 more positive cases were reported in a span of 24 hours, raising the tally of confirmed cases to 23,569 in the district.

District Health Authority (DHA) informed that among the new cases, 20 were reported from Rawal Town, 34 from Potohar, 21 from Rawalpindi Cantt, three from Taxila, six from Gujar Khan, three from Kahuta, five from Islamabad and one each from Kotli Sattian, Murree and Attock.

"Presently, 185 patients were admitted to various facilities with 29 at HFH, 26 at BBH, 104 at RIUKT, 25 at Fauji Foundation Hospital and one at Akhtar Rukhsana Memorial Hospital," the health authority report stated.

An official further said that so far 21,001 patients had been discharged after making a recovery while 3,802 are in quarantine with 2,293 at home and 1,509 in isolation wards. He added that some 256 patients are receiving treatment in the hospitals while 208 are on oxygen and eight were shifted to ventilators.

The district health department also urged that citizens aged 50 and above should get themselves vaccinated. According to DHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Fauzia Kanwal, the infection rate in Rawalpindi has reached 6.41 per cent, adding that about 100,000 people have been inoculated so far.

She added that about 700 Rescue 1122 workers have been administered Covid-19 vaccine jabs as well while the vaccination process has restarted in Adiala jail.

Smart lockdowns in 10 more areas

After smart lockdowns in 10 areas, the Rawalpindi health department has suggested its enforcement in 10 more areas in light of a rise in cases.

The areas under possible lockdowns include Bhagwal, Kontrilla, Changa Bhagyal in Gujar Khan Tehsil, Takhat Pari, Kotha Kalan, wards six and eight of Taxila Cantt, Chaklala Scheme 3, Afshan Colony Askarya 2, Allama Iqbal Colony, Defence Road Lalazar and Gulistan Colony.

Sources said that these areas have shown an unusual spike in Covid cases, therefore, it has been suggested to keep the residents limited to their homes by the imposition of smart lockdowns.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi City Traffic Police (CTP) has started spraying disinfectants in traffic headquarters and traffic police pickets across the district. In this regard, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rai Mazhar Iqbal issued orders to all circle in-charges, including inspector headquarters.

The directives stated that all 18 traffic pickets across the district should be disinfected daily. He added that the traffic personnel should ensure the wearing of face masks on duties to prevent contraction of the virus.

CTO further said that the traffic police played the role of frontline workers in the ongoing battle against the deadly infection. In a bid to protect the citizens from the contagion, several traffic officials have fallen victim to the virus, he added.

Iqbal said that those infected were being looked after by the department in every possible manner and directed all traffic personnel to follow precautionary guidelines whilst performing their duties.

Exams cancelled in ICT

Furthermore, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has cancelled examinations for grades fifth and eighth in all federal educational institutions.

According to a notification issued by FDE Deputy Director Academics Hassan Imran Baig, the measure has been taken in light of the prevalent condition of coronavirus in the country.

The postponement has been done until June 15 as decided by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The next measure would be announced in the third week of May in light of NCOC’s directives, he added.

President Dr Arif Alvi has said following the standard operating procedures (SOP) is a must for all. "New Covid cases increased by 800 while the highest toll of 201 deaths has been recorded," he commented in a tweet.

All efforts of economic recovery and livelihood are under threat, he added, warning that hospital beds, Intensive Care Units, oxygen tanks, and ventilators may become inadequate if numbers continue to go up.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2021.