Zubair Qureshi
Days before opening of junior classes in the federal capital, the health authorities have expedited disinfection of the schools and colleges under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) while private schools have also been directed to complete disinfection drive.
Covid-19 tests of teaching and non-teaching staff at these schools are also underway and according to the health ministry, one staff member of an educational institution tested positive on Thursday.
According to District Health Officer (DHO) of Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia the health teams surveyed and conducted a total of 3,502 tests for coronavirus in the federal capital and out of that number, only 21 tested positive showing 0.6% infection ra-
te.
Coronavirus, he said has declined substantially but it has not been eliminated completely and we must take preventive measures to keep away the pandemic.
“For last 7 weeks we are in 15000’s, means we have low cases and a slight surge is now stable and down. We are closely watching all the institutes, schools and hospitals follow SoP’s and remain functioning,” further said Dr Zaeem in a tweet.
Earlier in the week, a private medical college in the federal capital was sealed after 16 Covid-19 cases were reported among students and employees.
The Islamabad district health office in a letter had stated: “It has been observed with great concern that numerous cases of Covid-19 have been reported from Riphah Medical College, Islamabad, since September 9.
“Till date more than 16 cases have been reported. This trend is very alarming as this institute is becoming a super spreader and a hotspot for Covid-19. It is advised to immediately close down the campus and hostel premises and conduct thorough disinfection activities.”
Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) Spokesperson Sajid Shah said that residents should not panic, as incorrect information was circulating on social media. He said people should rely on the official website for information.
In response to two employees of Islamabad’s women’s college contracting Covid-19, an official from the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) said: “We will take extra precautions but [will] go ahead with opening educational institutions as planned. These are just two cases in hundreds of institutions.”
Before schools in the capital opened on Tuesday, three teachers — two at public schools in G-6 and G-7 and one at a private school in H-8 — had tested positive for Covid-19 despite the fact these institutions were disinfected before opening their doors to students on Tuesday.
