RAWALPINDI: Five more patients tested positive for Covid-19 while four confirmed patients were discharged from Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) on Sunday.According to official figures, there are 71 confirmed patients in the Rawalpindi district, 26 in Jhelum, three in Chakwal and one in Attock.

In Rawalpindi, 62 confirmed patients are admitted to RIU while the others are at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and six isolated in their houses.

The local administrations also keep 777 people in quarantines in the four districts - Rawalpindi 276, Attock 224, Chakwal seven and Jhelum (270).

Besides, 470 people have been isolated in their houses - 229 in Rawalpindi, 200 in Attock, seven in Chakwal and 34 in Jhelum. However, 24 of people quarantined in Attock were sent home.

Tableeghi Jamaat’s 139 members are isolated in Rawalpindi district, 66 in Attock, 189 in Jhelum and 105 in Chakwal while 304 preachers are in mosques and 85 in quarantine centres.Commissioner Mohammad Mehmood said new standard operating procedures had been introduced by the government to resume work in offices.

“Due to the lockdown, labourers as well as daily wagers are facing a financial crisis. We started work on development projects as per the new SOPs by the Punjab government,” he said.

He said the administration had directed officials to adopt safety measures and start routine work as soon as possible.

He said data of the needy would be compiled so the government would reach them without any further delay.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq asked non-government organisations to distribute food and other items among people taking the administration on board.

“We are compiling data with the help of digital maps so we would know how many organisations distributed food and other necessary items to avoid doubling,” said the DC.He said volunteers would be provided information so they will inform people and create awareness when they go to their houses to distribute food and other items.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2020