ISLAMABAD: Covid-19 cases were reported from three new localities of Islamabad, officials of the capital administration said on Friday.

They said a confirmed case and 11 suspected cases were reported from Gokina on Thursday while one each tested positive for Covid-19 in Saidpur and I-14 on Friday.

Besides, two suspected cases each arrived from Saidpur and I-10/4, they added.

As many as 16 cases were reported on Thursday and 30 on Friday from various parts of the capital.

Six cases each were reported from G-11 and Loi Bher during the last two days, followed by three each from I-10, I-9 and Shahzad Town, two each from E-11, F-7, G-7, G-9, Rawal Town and Tarlai and one each from Bhara Kahu, G-10, G-13, G-8, H-13, G-8, Khanna Pul, Kirpa, Sohan and Tarnol.

Cases reported from Gokina, Saidpur and I-14

So far, 44 patients have recovered and four have died in Islamabad, the officials said, adding that there are 295 active cases and 1,745 suspected cases.

The spread of Covid-19 among women in the capital is 30pc, with housewives being the most vulnerable for the virus, officials of the capital administration said, adding that so far 61 housewives have been diagnosed with the disease.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that the housewives had contracted the virus from their husbands.

In the capital, 43 healthcare staff of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Polyclinic and CDA Hospital have also tested positive for Covid-19.

The DC said about 10 healthcare staff of the administration, including drivers of ambulances and those deployed at quarantine centres, had also contracted the virus.

Pims Executive Director (ED) Ansar Maxood confirmed that the doctors and paramedics of the hospital had been diagnosed with the disease.

The staff performing duties in the isolation ward is safe from the virus as they have been provided personal protective equipment.

Besides, they have adopted satisfactory safety measures, he added.

Some of the staff of the hospital has contracted the virus from outside the hospital, the ED added.

According to the DC, students and government officials are third and fourth most affected categories with their numbers standing at 40 and 27, respectively.

Students are violating social distancing more compared to others, he added. They are carefree and roam around streets and markets where they contract the virus, he added.

Similarly, since government officials deal with public during their office time, they become vulnerable to contracting the virus, he said.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2020