Polyclinic extends OPD closure to Feb 5, two more schools sealed
Zubair Qureshi
The health department of the federal capital has launched extensive testing in the educational institutions—schools and colleges—of Islamabad as the city is hit by coronavirus.
On Friday alone,1,550 individuals were reported positive after 9,048 tests conducted in the last 24 hours. According to the District Health Department, tests were being conducted extensively with focus on schools and colleges. The capital’s Covid-19 positivity rate has gone further to 17 percent from 16 percent a day earlier, it said.
On Thursday 1286 new cases were reported in 24 hours after 7,665 tests, however on Friday the new cases number was stated to be 1,550 that has raised alarm bells.
A day earlier Polyclinic hospital had announced to shut Out-Patient Department (OPD) service till January 31 as the hospital is hit by Covid-19, more than 100 of its doctors, paramedics and support staff caught in virus. On Friday, the hospital announced the OPD service would remain closed till Feb 5 as there was no let-up in new cases.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is the second hospital whose employees are affected by COVID-19. The hospital as a preventive measure has limited the OPD timings and declared it would not receive patients after 10 a.m.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital is the third major public sector hospital in Islamabad where an increasing number of COVID-19 cases have been reported within the employees of the hospital.
In view of the situation, the hospitals have suspended elective surgeries. However, the emergency department would remain open and emergency surgeries would be performed round the clock. Doctors and staff will be on duty in their offices/wards as per the duty roster.
All staff working in OPDs will report to the security office, said a senior official of the Health Ministry adding the attached dispensaries/medical centres would also continue working.
With more active cases being reported from ICT schools, AC Secretariat sealed two schools on Friday in the area of Mohra Noor, Bani Gala.
At present more than 60 schools and educational institutions already stand sealed due to Covid-19 cases found at their premises while different markets, businesses and offices are being closely monitored for prevention of the virus spread. A number of streets in various sectors of Islamabad have already been sealed after Covid-19 cases were found there.
