RAWALPINDI: Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq on Thursday said there was no coronavirus case reported in Rawalpindi district.

Talking to media in his office, he said three special high-dependency units had been established to deal with the threat of coronavirus at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and the District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital.

Besides, a 100-bed ward has been established at the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) to quarantine suspected patients.

He said 760 people coming from abroad were tested for coronavirus but none of them was tested positive. He said 480 devotees had returned from Iran after the spread of the virus there and the district administration had complete data in this regard. The DC said 11 staff members have been deployed in different imambargahs for screening of suspected patients.

The government installed screening systems at airports and he was monitoring the system at the Islamabad International Airport. He said the district health authority had provided doctors and technicians for the airport.

The administration seized 40,000 facemasks from hoarders to ensure its availability in the market on the original prices.

The deputy commissioner said for the first time no refusal case was reported during the recent anti-polio drive in the district and the 100 per cent target to immunise children less than five years of age was achieved.

He said three to four suspected polio cases were reported but their results were negative.

He said 1,600 sanitary patrols were recruited for the anti-polio campaign.

The DC also said a new standard operating procedure (SOP) has been implemented to eliminate the dengue virus.

He said at a meeting with officials of private housing societies it was agreed to constitute teams for anti-dengue surveillance in their areas, adding diagnostic facilities were being extended at the grassroots level.

He said the Ghazi Barotha project was the only solution to the lingering water shortage in the city but it would take eight to 10 years for completion.

However, the government is trying to start the project as the underground water is receding fast.

“The government is also working to construct small dams in the district which will provide clean drinking water to the residents and raise the underground water level,” he said.

To a query about price hike, he said earlier there were 40 price magistrates but now their number has been increased to 63 for taking action against profiteers involved in price hike and adulteration. He said the district administration had been asked to compile data of people visiting the land revenue department for registration of their properties and transfer of immoveable properties.

“After getting the mobile phone numbers, the administration will get information from them about any official demanding for bribe,” he said.

He said a software had been launched for the online registration of schools and controlling their fees.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020