Zubair Qureshi
The federal capital has reported 154 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in a period 24 hours taking the total number to 19,970. Five deaths during this period have also raised the toll number in Islamabad to 222.
On Saturday, Islamabad reported 224 and on Sunday 152 confirmed cases of Coronavirus prompting the district administration and the health teams to remind the citizens Section 144 (for emergency measures and snap arrest in case of violations) was imposed in Islamabad according to which those found violating would be fined as well as jailed.
The total number of Coronavirus infections in the federal capital is close to 20,000 (19,970) and if the upward trend continues it could pass 30,000 in this month.
Meanwhile, the District Administration of Islamabad has declared wearing of masks mandatory inside the offices, restaurants, transports and hospitals, etc. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, the violators will have to pay a maximum of Rs35,000 starting from Rs6,000 along with a 6-month jail term.
Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat in a social media post also conveyed that the district teams could raid enclosed places like offices, public transports, hospitals and restaurants to see whether the public was following SOPs particularly wearing masks.
“Section 144 on masks is now applicable to enclosed public spaces (offices, public transport, hospitals, restaurants, shops etc). It is not applicable inside houses, cars, open areas, parks. However it is advised to practice extreme vigilance as Covid is on the rise in Islamabad,” said the DC.
Pakistan on Sunday reported an overall 333,970 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, 977 in the last 24 hours, and 6,823 deaths (17 in one day).
The number of active cases has also gone up from 11,000 to 12,592 which have raised concerns of the country’s health authorities.
The Deputy Commissioner has also warned citizens not to indulge in any business activity after 10 p.m.
The district administration has banned all types of commercial activities after 10 p.m., however, essential services like pharmacy, patients for medical aid, rationing, drinking water supplies and emergency services are exempted from this order, he said.
According to the District Health Officer (DHO) of Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia, of 152 new cases 84 are male and 68 female. The positivity rate is all time high i.e. 3.5pc. in the last twenty four hours a total of 4,271 tests were conducted, said the DC.
