Zubair Qureshi
The coronavirus situation continues to worsen in Islamabad as 113 positive cases were reported in the federal capital on Saturday.
The authorities are alarmed at this new challenge posed by Covid-19 Delta variant as majority of infections are detected with this Indian-variant.
“In last 24 hours 113 positive cases of the virus reported in the capital city,” District Health Officer (DHO) Islamabad Dr. Zaeem Zia stated.
The health officials conducted 1963 tests in 24 hours with 5.76 percent positive cases, the district health officer said.
In Islamabad total 83,613 Covid-19 cases have been reported with 782 deaths by the virus, DHO Zaeem Zia said.
A day earlier the authorities confirmed that the Covid-19 positivity ratio jumped to 7.1 percent in the capital city and the Delta variant has also been detected in patients diagnosed with the disease.
The Delta variant was traced among positive cases, however, the total number of people who contracted the variant is still not known.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (East) Babar Sahib Din said, “Keeping in view the spread of this variant, strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be enforced in the city. SOPs will be implemented particularly in marriage halls and restaurants”.
Dr Zaeem Zia also confirmed the spread of the Delta variant in the capital but said the total number of people who were diagnosed with the variant is still not available with the District Health Office.
“Strict advisory has been issued to prevent the spread of the Delta variant and an advisory for cattle markets established for the sale of sacrificial animals will also be issued”, Dr. Zia said.
Recently, one patient died because of the virus and 141 new cases were reported in the city. During the last 24 hours, 1,978 tests were conducted and out of the total 92 males and 49 females were tested positive.
The number of Covid-19 patients also increased in Rawalpindi as 60 people tested positive and 9 people were discharged from the hospital. There are a total of 397 active cases in the district.
