Islamabad’s positivity 8pc as 134 people infected with Covid-19 in 24 hours
Zubair Qureshi
The federal capital’s Covid-19 positivity rate was reported at 8.02 per cent on Sunday, the highest in the last couple of months, as 134 persons were tested positive after 1,670 tests in the last twenty-four hours.
According to District health Officer (DHO) of Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia, the federal capital is again turning into a high-risk corona zone as the cases are increasing steadily here and the positivity rate that was a little over 0 per cent a couple of weeks earlier is now above 8 per cent.
A person also died during the last twenty-four hours due to Covid-19, the National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC) data revealed on Sunday.
With these new additions the total number of Covid-19 cases in the federal capital has reached 83,647 and death toll reached 783.
The number of recoveries in the capital since the outbreak of the deadly virus is recorded at 81,278.
Meanwhile, the DHO Islamabad in an advisory issued to the residents of the federal capital advised them to stay away from the crowded places like cattle market and shopping centres ahead of Eidul Azha that is falling on July 21.
“Amidst the rising number of cases of Covid-19 infections in Islamabad and upcoming Eidul Adha in the month of July, it is advised that the citizens should observe all the SOPs regarding prevention of Covid-19.
During Eidul Adha, increased and frequent travel and violation of SOPs regarding social distancing and masks wearing may lead to increased exposure to Covid-19 infections thus resulting in resurgence of cases.”
In the advisory the DHO advised the citizens to avoid crowded places wherever possible, especially shopping markets, cattle markets, fully observing precautionary measures. “Only vaccinated individuals are advised to visit the cattle markets to keep their families safe.
Wear masks and keep hand sanitizers along during travel and visiting the cattle market,” said the DHO Dr Zaeem Zia in his advisory.
It is further advised to get your near and dear ones vaccinated against Covid-19 as early as possible from the nearest vaccination centre.
All the vaccination centres in Islamabad are fully functional and providing vaccination services to all the eligible persons.
Individuals with second dose due are also advised to get their vaccination completed, the advisory further states.
Meanwhile, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar in a tweet on Sunday termed Pakistan’s population in the age group 50 year and above the most vulnerable to Covid-19.
In Pakistan, we have a 27.2 million population of this age group and they are the most vulnerable to serious health effects of Covid, said Asad Umar.
So far 5.6 million or 20.6 per cent of this age group have received at least one dose of vaccine, said the minister in his tweet requesting the people to encourage all of this age group to vaccinate as soon as possible.
