RAWALPINDI: As many as 13 more tested positive for Covid-19 in Rawalpindi district, taking the tally to 237, according to the data released by the government.

It says eight patients were discharged after recovering from the virus in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU).

Meanwhile, two streets in Gawalmandi and a house in Mandra were sealed by police after two suspected cases surfaced in the areas. Both of them were shifted to hospital, police said.

According to the data, so far 38 patients have recovered in Rawalpindi city and 63 in Rawalpindi division including one in Attock, 23 in Jhelum and one in Chakwal.

Two streets in Gawalmandi, a house in Mandra sealed after two suspected cases surface

At present, 193 confirmed patients are in Rawalpindi district hospitals and six have died.

The data says swabs of 155 suspected patients in Rawalpindi division have been sent to National Institute of Health (NIH) and their test reports are awaited.

The divisional hospitals have so far received 530 suspected patients out of which 375 were discharged after they tested negative.

According to the data, 1,124 people have been isolated at their homes, 35 in quarantine centres and 36 in Rawalpindi division hospitals.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that the pace of recovery was a good sign 13 more contract Covid-19 in Rawalpindi district and gave credit for the fast recovery rate to doctors and paramedical staff. He said though the recovery rate was increasing, the number of confirmed patients had also increased.

“RIU will have an additional 300 beds while other field hospitals will have 600 beds in the coming week,” he said.

The commissioner said the district administrations of all the four districts had also been directed to implement the lockdown and monitor food supply chain across the division.

He said the government was working to improve the facilities for the patients and other citizens.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq visited RIU to inquire after the health of the confirmed Covid-19 patients and inspected the arrangements being made for them.

Punjab Minister for Literacy and Informal Education and In-charge of Coronavirus Management Centres Raja Rashid Hafeez paid a visit to Holy Family Hospital along with Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq and handed over ventilator, masks and senitisers to the management.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2020