HYDERABAD: Three more patients of coronavirus — all residents of Hyderabad — died in Hyderabad and Karachi hospitals in the past 24 hours, taking total virus-related deaths to 57 since April.

A 60-year-old woman, resident of Diplai Memon Society, died in Karachi on Wednesday evening. Her body was handed over to the heirs in line with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for burial.

Another 76-year-old man, resident of Jhan Mori, died in the high dependency unit of Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) besides a 58-year-old trader from Tandojam in the LUH on Thursday. Of the total 57 deaths, 37 were reported from the LUH Hyderabad.

A total number of 2,902 positive cases till July 1 have been reported in Hyderabad since March. Of them, 1,429 have recovered while 1,426 were active cases. On June 30, 149 cases — one of the largest figures in a day — were reported in Hyderabad, 52 on July 1 and 62 on July 2.

Seven shopkeepers test positive

Seven shopkeepers in Kohsar, Latifabad, tested positive during random sampling conducted under directives of Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Fuad Ghaffar Soomro. Samples of 74 people, including shopkeepers dealing in groceries, chicken, general items and medicines etc, were obtained the other day in Latifabad Kohsar Society Phase-I, a government housing scheme.

According to Kohsar Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Suresh Kumar, he had informed the DC that people around the hospital, located in Phase-I of the society, were not observing the SOPs and roaming around without face masks.

Today (Thursday), 78 more samples of people were collected in Khuda Hafiz Board area, Latifabad Unit-12; their results would be available on Friday.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020