ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has been put on high alert due to increase in the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospital.

An elderly male patient (80-89) succumbed to the virus and 198 new cases surfaced in the capital. During the last 24 hours, 4,258 tests were conducted and the positivity ratio was recorded at 4.6pc.

According to capital administration officials, out of the total tests performed, results of 198 people came back positive.

Spokesman for Pims Dr Wasim Khawaja told Dawn that the number of Covid-19 patients in the hospital was increasing.

During the last 24 hours, seven patients who were admitted to the hospital have died, he said, adding that most of them were residents of other districts.

There are 207 beds allocated for Covid patients at Pims in different wards and out of the total 156 are currently occupied, Dr Khawaja said, adding that 11 ventilators out of 21 were also occupied in the hospital. Oxygen is being provided to 145 other patients in Pims, he added.

All doctors, nurses and paramedics have been alerted, he said, adding that the administration staff was also asked to make necessary arrangements whenever required.

The security staff was directed to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding prevention of the virus. However, the number of attendants has also increased in the hospital due to the number of patients and violation of SOPs was also witnessed.

The medical staff was asked to follow protocol while treating and examining admitted patients or those coming to emergency, Dr Khawaja added.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2021