Five more cases trigger fears of Covid spurt in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district has once again been hit by a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, causing an alarm among the local authorities and the public alike.

According to sources, five more people were confirmed to have contracted the virus in the last 24 hours. Two of the coronavirus-positive patients belong to Potohar Town, one belongs to Cantt and two are from outside the district. In this regard, the district administration has constituted an observation committee comprising experts to monitor the fresh wave of coronavirus and to devise a strategy to control its spread.

Previously, Covid SOPs were lifted throughout the district but the positivity ratio of 1.64% has yet again alarmed the authorities concerned. In the last 24 hours, 305 people were tested, of which five were confirmed to be Covid positive. Moreover, 26 patients have currently been quarantined in their homes. No Covid patient is undergoing treatment at any hospital, the sources added.

According to a report compiled by the Health Department, from the first wave till today coronavirus has been confirmed in 44,156 people, of which 42,789 patients recovered while 1,341 patients lost their lives. On the other hand, a total of 7,00,6011 people have been successfully vaccinated against the deadly disease.

The department has continued to maintain a COVID-19 vaccination facility, and it is recommended that citizens who have not completed their coronavirus vaccine doses or have not yet received a COVID-19 shot should get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has told The Express Tribune that the threat of the coronavirus resurfacing still persists. To mitigate this risk, an expert observation committee has been established.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2023.