UPPER DIR: The administration of the Upper Dir district headquarters hospital has established a four beds ward and installed four ventilators there for suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases.

Deputy commissioner of Upper Dir district Khalid Iqbal Khattak and operational commander Brigadier Yasir Elahi had asked the hospital’s administration to put up the ward for all those, who have either tested positive for coronavirus or carry the symptoms of the viral disease.

They had also issued orders for the immediate use of four ventilators lying in the hospital’s warehouse for four years.

The residents appreciated the initiative and demanded an increase in the number of beds to cater to the local population.

Residents demand increase in number of beds

Meanwhile, district health officer Dr Fayyaz claimed more than 2,000 people had been screened in the district for coronavirus on their return from abroad and none of them had the virus symptoms but even then, they all were kept in quarantine for 14 days.

FOOD DELIVERY: The district administration has formed mobile teams to deliver kitchen items to the people on their doorstep during the lockdown to protect them from coronavirus.

Members of the DC’s Volunteers Task Force and civil defence volunteers are part of the teams.

The administration asked residents to dial designated telephone numbers to order goods. Deputy commissioner Khalid Iqbal Khattak said the police and Levies personnel checked the people’s unnecessary movement and ensured closure of shops during the lockdown by regular patrols.

Meanwhile, assistant commissioner of Sheringal area Mohammad Saqib announced that the gathering of more than five people had been banned.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020