GUJRAT: Out of more than 3,000 people screened for the coronavirus, including some 500 Zakireen (orators), organisers and security volunteers for Muharram Majalis and processions, only two were found positive so far, during the smart sampling in the district during the last few days.

It is learnt that the administration had to face resistance from the organisers of Muharram congregations to conduct screening of related people, as earlier the health authorities had set a target to screen around 4,500 to 5,000 people, which could not be achieved.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Khurram Shahzad told Dawn that the local health authorities had screened at least 480 people related to Muharram activities, out of which 99 were Zakireen, 50 organisers and 331 security volunteers.

They include 500 related to Muharram activities

He said the result of 337 had been found negative and of the remaining 143 is awaited, adding that 2,600 others were also screened during the smart sampling. Out of them only two had so far tested positive for the virus.

He said as per the Punjab government directions, up to 5,000 people would be screened during the smart sampling with a target of some 500 screenings a day.

He said the smart sampling had been conducted in shopping malls, govenrment offices and other public places.

District Health Officer Dr Ayaz Nasir said that at least 21,434 people had been screened in the district since the first case of Covid-19 was reported on March 16, out of which 2,283 tested positive and 2,195 had recovered from the infection so far.

However, he said there were at least 37 active cases of Covid-19 in the district and the people should continue to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid spread of pandemic.

Meanwhile, around 22 local journalists who recently returned from Kaghan, Naraan and Shugran, have also been tested for the virus by the health department after reports of some Covid-19 cases surfacing among the staff of hotels in these areas.

The results of the journalists’ tests are awaited.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2020