HYDERABAD: Six Covid-19 patients died in Liaquat University Hospital’s city branch over the last 48 hours, it was stated on Monday evening.

Hyderabad Commissioner Mohammad Abbas Baloch, chairing a meeting in his office on Monday, asked all deputy commissioners and district health officers to identify each and every health facility within their respective area in the division. He told them to prepare a strategy in collaboration with the army in case the situation turned from bad to worse due to the third wave of the pandemic.

He also sought a contingency plan and directed that the shopkeepers found violating the prescribed SOPs be penalised and their business sealed.

The meeting was attended by DC Fuad Ghaffar Soomro, DIG Sharjeel Kharal, SSP Abdul Salam Sheikh, DHO Dr Lala Jaffar and others.

The commissioner noted that all beds at government hospitals in Hyderabad now stood occupied by patients. “Although, the situation has not become alarming, it may turn serious if the trend persists and could warrant securing administrative control of certain private hospitals,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2021