Covid-19 situation termed alarming in capital, action launched against SOP violators
Zubair Qureshi
Friday saw an overwhelming increase in number of coronavirus cases in the federal capital and the doctors as well as the district administration officials described the situation extremely alarming.
During the last 24 hours, 456 new cases were reported and three deaths taking the overall number of cases to 4,000 and deaths 41.
On Thursday COVID-19 cases number in Islamabad was 3,544 while deaths recorded 38. The situation is alarming and things are worsening on daily basis and no one knows what lies ahead, said a concerned doctor of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
PIMS on Friday received 190patients and returned 180 of them admitting only 10 and according to its Joint Executive Director (JED) Dr Minhaj Siraj, the hospital is under enormous burden of new as well as already admitted cases. “We have 75 beds isolation & family wards exclusively for coronavirus patients,” he said. With 57 beds occupied we are left with 18 beds and our request to the public at large is to stay at home, strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and regularly wash their hands, etc, he said. Meanwhile the Islamabad district administration in a massive operation against SOP violations challaned 60 vehicles and impounded four.
A Joint team of Islamabad Transport Authority (MMPI & MVE) checked the bus stands at Faizabad, and Mandi Morr. According to the Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat strict implementation of SOPs were reviewed during the checking.
The passengers without masks were off loaded and strict warning was issued to the management of the bus stations with warnings in this regard.
It was also observed that invariably all these terminals/addas had installed sanitizing points for passengers, temperature being checked effectively, masks were worn by staff, drivers, conductors, cleaners and most of the passengers. However, whereever violation of Social Distancing measures was noticed action was taken.
Meanwhile, the District Administration of Islamabad on Friday issued a new notification in accordance with the meeting of the National Coordination Committee held recently. According to the new amended notification, all the vegetable stores, grocery shops, karyana, medical stores, pharmacies, LPG outlets, tyre puncture shops, tandoors, inter-city transport, churches and chakkis and tandoors are allowed to remain open or work 24 hours a days, seven days a week.
However, beauty parlours, amusement parks, play areas, indoor gyms, education centres, cinemas, sports clubs, training institutes, theatre, restaurants, café (except home delivery or take-away), hotels and tourist places will remain closed.
