ISLAMABAD: Three departments in Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) have been sealed after five Covid-19 cases were reported there on Monday. A total of 91 cases were reported in Islamabad.

District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said the chemistry, biochemistry and bachelor of business administration departments have been sealed for at least five days.

“According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), educational institutions are sealed if two or more cases are reported from there. Once the building is disinfected, a request will be moved to open the university,” he said.

Dr Zia said 91 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Islamabad on Monday out of 2,990 tests carried out in the last 24 hours. He said the test-positivity rate is around 3pc.

Bhara Kahu reported 12 cases followed by 10 from G-11 and seven from PWD Colony.

On Sunday, the administration sealed 10 streets in several residential sectors. Each street has reported five or more cases of Covid-19.

Twin cities continue to report cases while hundreds await test results in Rawalpindi; two doctors test positive at BBH

The sealed areas are Street 46 in F-11/3, Street 23 in F-11/2, Street 58 in I-8/2, Street 57 in I-8/3, Street 91 in I-8/4, Street 10, Block D in Media Town, Street 12 in l-10/2, Street 33 in G-11/2, Street 30 in Pakistan Town Phase I and Street 35 in G-6/2.

Rawalpindi

Two people died of Covid-19 and 31 more tested positive for the disease on Monday while 21 patients recovered on Sunday.

A 65-year-old resident of Adiala Road who was brought to Quaid-i-Azam International Hospital on Oct 25 died on Monday. An 85-year-old resident of College Road who was brought to Holy Family Hospital on Oct 25 also died Monday morning.

Two doctors from Benazir Bhutto Hospital’s (BBH) cardiology and orthopaedic departments were among those diagnosed with Covid-19 on Monday, said the Young Doctors Association (YDA).

Among their close contacts were former YDA president Dr Rana Azeem and former YDA general secretary Dr Shoaib Rasool, who have been tested and are awaiting their results.

Dr Azeem told Dawn that he and other doctors have symptoms of Covid-19 and have isolated themselves while they wait for their test results, which will take a day or two.

Rawalpindi district has reported 7,466 confirmed cases of Covid-19 so far, including 313 deaths and 6,980 recoveries.

There are still 315 people awaiting the results of their Covid-19 tests.

A total of 30 confirmed patients are admitted to Holy Family Hospital, of which nine are from outside the district, while 143 confirmed patients are isolated in their homes. Health authority officials are checking on patients in home isolation in selected areas.

Local administrations have also quarantined 474 people.

Rawalpindi division has reported 8,923 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since March, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn, including 7,466 in Rawalpindi 651 in Attock, 508 in Jhelum and 298 in Chakwal.

There have been 382 deaths so far – 313 in Rawalpindi, 39 in Chakwal, 21 in Attock and nine in Jhelum – and 8,338 recoveries – 6,980 in Rawalpindi, 615 in Attock, 489 in Jhelum and 253 in Chakwal.

Taxila

Three people were diagnosed with Covid-19 in Taxila and one person tested positive in Attock, according to a report issued by the health department.

Taxila’s local health department said two cases were reported from urban areas in Wah and one was reported from a rural area in Taxila. This brings the tally to 534 cases.

Deputy District Officer Health Dr Sara Qadeer said there are 50 active cases in the area, all of whom are isolated in their homes.

In Attock, another case brought the total to 651. The patient is from Hazro Town and tested positive on Saturday.

Attock’s focal person on Covid-19 Dr Asif Arbab Nazi said there are 15 active cases in the district, all of which are under home isolation.

Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2020