ISLAMABAD: Ground surveillance in recently sealed sub-sectors in Ramna will begin after three to four days, as part of efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus among residents.

The areas will be locked down until the spread of the coronavirus is reduced to zero, or two to three new cases reported each day. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that G-6/1, G-6/2, G-7/2 and G-10/4 were sealed Wednesday evening. Ground surveillance to monitor the situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus among residents will begin in another three days.

The three-day wait is so that symptoms of Covid-19 can begin appearing among residents who may have contracted the disease, Mr Shafqaat said. Teams of healthcare staff, including the District Health Office’s rapid response teams, will collect samples from suspected patients, contacts of previously confirmed patients and people displaying symptoms of the disease.

Each sub-sector has a population of 8,000 to 10,000 each, he added.

During the lockdown, people are not allowed to enter sealed areas and residents are also restricted to their homes except for exempted activities such as buying groceries or in case of a medical emergency.

Each sub-sector has 12 to 15 points of entry and exit, which have been closed off to restrict movement with barricades and barbed wire. A team of five to six police officials along with Rangers and army personnel have also been deployed at these points.

Areas will remain sealed until ground surveillance is complete and healthcare staff reduce the spread of the coronavirus to zero, Mr Shafqaat said.

Discussing the already sealed sub-sectors in G-9, I-8 and I-10, Mr Shafqaat said that ground surveillance is in progress and District Health Office teams have collected 600 to 800 samples from suspected patients, contacts and symptomatic residents.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2020