ISLAMABAD: Six people lost their battle against Covid-19 in the twin cities on Friday with 427 new cases reported in Islamabad and 89 in Rawalpindi.

During the last 24 hours, 5,168 tests were conducted in the capital and the positivity rate was 8.2pc. Officials of the capital administration said two patients, both male in the age group of 50-69, died in the capital. The deceased were residents of G-6 and Jhangi Syedan, they said, adding the death toll in the capital now stood at 679.

There are 12,603 active cases in the capital, out of whom 264 are admitted to 16 hospitals, 240 were on oxygen support and 24 on ventilators.

Many more patients are admitted to other hospitals but their details are not available with the district administration whereas the remaining are isolated in their houses.

There are 871 beds allocated in the 16 hospitals, out of which 528 are occupied. The occupancy rate of beds is 60.6pc. Likewise, 128 ventilators are allocated at 13 hospitals and 65 are occupied, the officials said, adding the occupancy rate of ventilators is 50.7pc.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Qazi Jamilur Rehman said at least seven personnel of Islamabad police have succumbed to the coronavirus while protecting citizens from the infection.

12,603 active cases recorded in Islamabad; IGP says at least seven personnel of capital police have so far succumbed to virus

In a video message for residents, the IG recognised the services and dedication of the police force and said 262 personnel from the rank of constable to DIG had tested positive.

Police are helping the local administration in the implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He said the renewal of driving licences had been suspended for months and the traffic police had been directed not to penalise road-users in case their licence expired.

Senior officers of the police are busy educating people about the coronavirus threat in collaboration with the local traders. He appealed to the residents to observe SOPs so that they don’t get infected.

Rawalpindi

Patients who died in Rawalpindi district were identified as Rubina Shabir, 58, a resident of Kahuta; Liaquat Ali, 58, a resident of Siham Peshawar Road; Abdul Rashid, 68, a resident of Wah Cantonment, and Dil Jan, 69, of Dhoke Farman Ali.

In the district, there are 1,929 active patients. As many as 427 patients are in hospitals, including 72 patients from other districts; and 1,502 are home isolated. As many as 707 patients are awaiting for the results of their Covid-19 serology.

Of the newly-detected patients, 17 are from cantonment and 28 arrived from Potohar Town and 22 from Rawal Town areas.

Ten patients are from Gujar Khan, three from Taxila, three from Kahuta while four patients from Murree and, one each arrived from AJK and Jhelum.

As many as 36 patients are admitted to Holy Family Hospital, 34 are under treatments in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 100 in Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU), 23 patients in Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), five in Hearts International Hospital and one in Begum Akhtar Rukhsana Hospital.

There are 13 patients on ventilators in Rawalpindi, 124 are on oxygen support and 62 are stable.

Attock

Officials said 30 people tested positive in Attock on Friday.

According to health authorities, this is the second highest tally of cases reported in a single day in the third wave. Earlier, 48 cases were reported in a single day in April.

Confirming increase in the number of Covid-19 patients, District Focal Person for Covid-19 Kashif Hussain said that among newly positive patients 15 belonged to Jand, 14 to Attock city while one was from Fatehjang.

“It is the highest single day spike reported from Jand,” he said, adding the number of active patients in the district is 265 out of which 260 are home isolated.

It is the highest number of active Covid-19 patients in the district since the beginning of the pandemic.

As many as 11 suspected patients are also admitted to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and all are in critical condition.

The number of suspected patients in the district rose to 32,748 while screening of 36,000 people was carried out.

Responding to a question, he said the results of 112 suspected patients are awaited. So far 1,305 people have recovered from the virus in the district.

A team of the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Ali Annan Qammar launched a crackdown against violators of the SOPs.

Six shopkeepers were arrested and cases registered against them for not wearing face masks.

Three hotels and several shops were sealed and fines imposed on shopkeepers for violation of SOPs. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2021