ISLAMABAD: Three sub-sectors of the federal capital - F-11/1, I-8/4 and I-10/2 - were on Sunday sealed after over 150 Covid-19 cases were reported there.

Overall, 6,734 tests were conducted in the city on Saturday of which 345 were found positive on Sunday. The positivity rate in the city increased to 5 per cent.

As a new UK variant strain is prevalent in Islamabad, more areas are expected to be locked down in coming days. No-objection certificates (NOCs) issued to functions, festivals and gatherings are withdrawn. Any kind of indoor activity will not be allowed. Outdoor functions will be only allowed for two hours with less than 300 people.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said 51 cases were reported from F-11/1, 53 from I-8/4 and 48 from I-10/2.

Positivity rate in Islamabad increases to 5pc; three die, 122 more people test positive in Rawalpindi

“Commercial areas and amusement parks will be completely locked down on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More areas are expected to be locked down. The new UK variant strain is prevalent in Islamabad. NOCs issued to all functions, festivals, gatherings are withdrawn. No indoor activity is allowed. Outdoor functions are only allowed for two hours with less than 300 people. Offices are not allowed to call more than 50pc of their staff. Any violation of social distancing or mask wearing on any premises will be sealed forthwith. Everyone is requested to cooperate,” he said in a tweet.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Shafqaat said the decision was taken to break the chain of the virus as cases were continuously rising. He also said that he himself and his parents had tested positive for Covid-19.

According to a notification issued by the district administration: “In exercise of powers under Epidemic Diseases Control Act 1958 and as per recommendations of the District Health Office, the F-11/1, I-8/4 and I-10/2 sectors are sealed from 15.03.2021 at 12:01am in the public interest and until further orders.”

The exemptions to the order include essential services and supplies like pharmacy and medical shops, groceries stores and bakeries, patients for medical aid/medical consultation, tests and appointments, rationing, drinking water supplies and emergency etc. The exemptions shall be regulated by the SOPs issued from time to time regarding prevention of Covid-19.

“The Islamabad police and Rangers are requested to cordon off the above mentioned areas in order to ensure public safety and check further spread of the virus,” it stated.

Moreover, the district administration issued a letter to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Jinnah Convention over the violation of SOPs during the Taste Festival organised by it on Sunday.

Rawalpindi

Three patients died in Rawalpindi and 122 more people tested positive on Sunday. However, one person was discharged from hospital after recovering from the disease.

The district administration made it clear that all bazaars would be closed by 6pm from Monday (today).

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq told Dawn that the district administration did not force traders to close markets on Sunday and gave them a day to start observing the new timings.

He said teams had been formed to ensure the observance of SOPs and face mask wearing in public places. People should maintain social distancing, he added.

Abdul Rasheed, 80, a resident of Dak Khana Khas, was taken to Shifa International Hospital on March 12 where he died on Sunday.

Saima Rehman, 45, a resident of Westridge died at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where he was admitted on March 13.

Mehfooz Ahmed, 35, a resident of city area, was taken to Holy Family Hospital on March 13 where she died on Sunday.

As many as 100 people tested positive - 22 patients in the cantonment areas, 38 patients in Potohar Town and 40 in Rawal Town.

Four patients arrived in hospitals from Taxila, three from Gujar Khan and one from Kotli Sattian. Nine patients also arrived from Islamabad and two patients from Attock and one patient each from KP, AJK and Mianwali.

In Rawalpindi district, there are 672 active patients and 146 of them are in hospitals and 470 home isolated. As many as 499 patients are waiting for the results of their Covid-19 serology.

Moreover, 17 of the new patients are admitted in Holy Family Hospital, 13 in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 48 in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU), 32 in Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), three in Red Crescent Corona Care Centre and one patient each in Hearts International Hospital and Attock Hospital Rawalpindi.

Commissioner Mohammad Mehmood said 11 patients were on ventilators, 43 on oxygen and 61 were stable.

Police to strictly follow SOPs

Expressing concern over the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Inam Ghani has directed the divisional police chiefs, Special Branch and Special Protection Unit to ensure strict implementation and observance of the SOPs, including wearing facemasks.

A directive issued to the heads of the police units from the office of the additional inspector general of police (operations) on behalf of the IGP said the SOPs should be implemented strictly.

He said keeping in view the new surge in the coronavirus, the IGP has directed to ensure the strict implementation and observance of the SOPs.

All officers and officials should wear facemasks and avoid close contacts while on duty.

“Negligence in this regard shall not be tolerated and strict departmental action would be taken in case of violation of the SOPs.”

The AIG warned that any police personnel found ignoring the directives would face action along with their immediate supervisory officer.

A police spokesman said the Rawalpindi police had been following the coronavirus SOPs as no fresh case of infection had come to light in the department during the fresh wave.— Additional reporting by Mohammad Asghar

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2021