RAWALPINDI: The district administration has declared Dhoke Paracha, Kalyam Awan and Thathi Covid-19 hotspots in the Rawalpindi district, as these were the areas where most patientshave been detected in the last month.

The administration’s projections based on its data analysis suggest that the number of patients in Rawalpindi will rise to 324 by May 2 and 729 by May 16.

According to the administration, 96 Covid-19 patients have infected110people in the district.

In addition, 1,284 suspected patients were tested, of which 206 (16pc) were positive, 720 (55pc) were negative and the results of 381 (29pc) are awaited.

There have been 82 confirmed patients in the city’s 46 union councils - 49 from Potohar Town, 28 from Gujar Khan, 21 from the cantonment areas, 19 from Taxila, four from Kahuta, two from Kallar Syedan and one from Murree. Female patients make up 34pc of the total number, while 66pc are male.

Despite the increase in cases in Rawalpindi city, the lockdown has not been implemented in markets, most of which are in the downtown areas where social distancing is not being practiced.

The number of recovered patients also increased, after 15 patients were discharged from the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology on Sunday. The total number of recovered patients has risen to 58.

Four more people tested positive for Covid-19 in Rawalpindi district on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed patients to 251. There are 202 people admitted to RIU and other hospitals, and there have been six deaths.Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sardar on Sunday distributed safety kits among doctors and paramedics at three hospitals in Rawalpindi city. An event was organised at the Governor’s Annexe in Civil Lines, attended by the medical superintendents of Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital and officials from Rescue 1122.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn the government has asked for the implementation of standard operating procedures to be ensured in all the markets and business sectors that are operational. He said the administration is adopting measures while distributing money and food amongst the underprivileged.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2020