RAWALPINDI: The twin cities saw a rise in the number of casualties as seven more people succumbed to Covid-19 on Saturday while another 157 contracted the virus.

In Rawalpindi, four patients breathed their last while 29 tested positive.

Naseem Akhtar, 69, a resident of Gulshanabad, Adiala, was shifted to Kulsoom International Hospital on Jan 8 where he died. Imtiaz Bibi, 57, a resident of Lala Rukh Colony in Taxila, had been under treatment at the Fauji Foundation Hospital since Dec 21 but could not survive and died on Friday night.

Abdul Haq, 70, from Wah Cantonment and Mohammad Hanif, 75, from Dhoke Mazharabad in Chaklala succumbed to the virus at Pims where they had been brought on Jan 8. Meanwhile, the district recorded 458 active patients with 86 under treatment in hospitals and 372 isolated in their homes. Moreover, 466 people are waiting for their test results.

According to the breakdown of new cases, six each were from Rawalpindi Cantonment and Gujar Khan, eight from Potohar Town, seven from city area and one each from Taxila and Kallar Syedan.

At present, 45 Covid-19 patients are admitted to hospitals with 11 in Benazir Bhutto Hospital, seven in Fauji Foundation Hospital, eight in Holy Family Hospital and 19 in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology.

Officials said 20 patients were on ventilators, 22 required oxygen and 38 were stable.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that the number of patients had decreased compared to the last two months. He said the highest number of positive cases - 882 - was reported between Nov 22 and Nov 28. However, from Jan 3 to Jan 9, 222 people tested positive. The recovery rate remained high on Jan 6 when tests of 240 patients were declared negative.

“After Jan 5, the mortality rate in the district is declining,” he added.

Mr Mehmood said the positivity rate also decreased to two per cent and the recovery rate increased to 92pc.

Besides three deaths, 128 more cases were reported in the federal capital.

Officials of the capital administration said during the last 24 hours 4,980 tests were conducted, and positivity rate remained 2.5 per cent.

The three deaths were reported from different hospitals. The deceased were in the age group of 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79.

The officials said 25 cases were reported in the age group of 40-49, followed by 23 in 20-29, 21 in 30-39, 17 in 50-59, 15 in 60-69, 10 in 10-19, eight in 70-79, five in 0-9 and two in 80 years and above. Ages of two patients were not known.

Twenty-six cases were reported from Loi Bher, 10 from G-10, nine from Bhara Kahu, seven each from Tarlai, G-9, G-11, six each from G-8, G-13, Kurri, five each from E-11, Khanna, four each from I-8, F-11, G-7, three each from Rawat, G-13, two from G-6, Chak Shahazd, Sihala, one each from F-10, F-6, F-8, Sohan, F-7, Chirrah, H-13 and F-5.

Attock

In the district of Attock, 10 more people tested positive raising the tally to 1,115.

Chief Executive Officer District Health Authority Dr Jawad Ellahi said eight of the new cases belonged to Attock and two to Hazro. He said the number of active patients in the district also surged to 159 in which 157 were home isolated and two hospitalised. He said three suspected patients were admitted to hospitals.

Responding to a question, he said the number of suspected cases in the district was 22,804. He said results of 387 suspected patients were still awaited

Taxila

As the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being openly violated in commercial areas, authorities launched a crackdown against the violators in various parts of Attock on Saturday.

In Hazro, Assistant Commissioner Shagufta Jabeen launched a crackdown against commercial centres for violating Section 144 and the Covid-19 safety measures. A marriage hall, restaurant and a number of shops were found violating the SOPs.

In Fatehjang, a team of local administration led by Assistant Commissioner Azeem Shoukat raided various business centres. A bakery and A hotel along with a fish point near Shahpur Dam were sealed and fined for violating the SOPs. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2021