Islamabad reports 350 infections, 4 deaths in 24 hours: The worst is yet to come!
Zubair Qureshi
Thursday turned out to be the third consecutive day with more than 300 cases of corona reported during the last 24 hours taking the total number of coronavirus cases to 3,544. Four deaths were reported during the same period making it 38.
Pakistan Institute of medical sciences the only dedicated facility for the COVID-19 patients received a mounting number of 168 patients and admitted 10 of them while sending back the remaining 158.
We are receiving patients from Islamabad and vicinities on hourly basis and those with no or minor symptoms are sent back with the advice to isolate themselves in home, said a doctor performing duties in the PIMS Isolation ward. The situation is fast deteriorating and we must prepare for the worst scenario, he said.
The federal capital is hit hard by the virus and virus was reported from a number of localities including Huawei Tech, Saudi Pak Tower in Blue Area, the Pakistan Sports Board, Gulraigan in Chattha Bakhtawar, Street 13-C in the National Police Foundation in E-11/4, Street 26 and sub-street 110 in I-10/4, Street 111 in G-9/4, Street 54 in G-7/2, Block No.6 in PWD Colony and Street 62 in G-6/4 prompting the authorities to seal them.
Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said his assistant commissioners and he himself inspected various markets and localities all day on Thursday to iinspect shops, markets as “these are high density areas where people have not been following standard operating procedures.” We have sealed only streets as part of a ‘smart lockdown’ policy, he further said.
This new surge in COVID-19 cases has rung alarm bells in authorities and they are considering extra measures and out-of-box solutions to deal with severity of the situation.
While talking to Pakistan Observer Joint ED of PIMS Dr Minhajus Siraj said PIMS had 75 beds and so far 58 had been occupied. Our capacity is not unlimited, he admitted adding the hospital staff and management was doing its best to accommodate the maximum number of patients. However, if the ratio of new patients’ arrival continues the day is not far when PIMS will exhaust its existing capacity and the patients will be left with no choice but to self-isolate themselves in their homes.
The best solution under these alarming conditions is to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and health precautions, he said as it is in the best interests of the patients and the doctors.
About the inquiry report into large number of PIMS’ health workers being infected with COVID-19, Dr Minhaj said the report was to be made public on June 3 but since we have included interviews of a number of health workers, doctors, nurses etc, it may take a few more days in its compilation.
