CHAKWAL: Chakwal district reported three positive cases of Covid-19 in one go on Saturday, alarming authorities and the public.

“Unfortunately, two women from Bochal Kalan village and a man from Mohallah Gharbi in Chakwal city have contracted the coronavirus,” Chakwal Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Abdul Sattar Esani told Dawn. He added that all three patients were stable, and the two women are not showing any symptoms yet.

Authorities rushed to Bochal Kalan village in the Kallar Kahar tehsil on April 1 after learning that a woman who visited Bochal Kalan a few days ago and then returned to Rawalpindi had tested positive for Covid-19.

That woman, who is from the village, lives in Rawalpindi. She was visiting the village due to a death in the family. Her son and husband have also tested positive for the disease.

On April 1, Mr Esani, District Police Officer Mohammad Bin Ashraf and health department officials visited the village, which was locked down and its streets disinfected the same day.

Three persons from Bochal Kalan village and Mohallah Gharbi test positive

The authorities tested 48 people with whom the woman had had contact. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH), which reported that two people tested positive and 46 others negative on Saturday.

“The women who tested positive are not blood relatives. One woman, who is 35 years old, is the niece of the woman who came from Rawalpindi while the other woman is a 60-year-old who was also present on the occasion for condolence,” Kallar Kahar Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Murtaza Malik told Dawn.

He added that the streets where the patients’ homes are located have been sealed and the entire village has been cordoned off, with Rangers and police personnel deputed there.

Both women have been admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital’s high dependency unit.

The third patient is a 76-year-old man who returned from the United Kingdom a month ago and, according to a senior Chakwal health department official, may have contracted the disease in Islamabad.

“The patient had his own house in Bahria Enclave, Islamabad, and stayed there for some days. He suffered a high grade fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath a few days ago and was taken to the DHQ Hospital on April 1,” DHQ Hospital medical superintendent Dr Mukhtar Niazi told Dawn. He said the patient’s condition has now stabilised.

Authorities sealed the street where the patient’s house is located on Saturday evening.

Mr Mukhtar said they have also hung banners and distributed pamphlets informing residents about the development. He said the entire locality has been disinfected.

District Health Officer Dr Mubashar told Dawn that the samples of 25 people, including the patient’s immediate family, have been taken and they have all been isolated.

Mr Esani urged people not to panic and to strictly obey the lockdown and practice social distancing.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2020