Another 15 confirmed positive for coronavirus in twin cities taking tally to 75

Rawalpindi : Confirmation of another 15 patients positive for 2019 novel coronavirus illness, COVID-19 has taken the total number of confirmed cases so far reported in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to 75 and it is alarming that only two of the total cases reported in the region have achieved complete cure so far while the disease has already claimed one life in Islamabad.

Data collected by ‘The News’ on Sunday reveals that to date, a total of 32 patients have been tested positive for COVID-19 in Rawalpindi while in the federal capital, the number of patients tested positive till Sunday evening was 43.

At least 11 of the 43 patients in the federal capital were undergoing treatment at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Sunday while majority of the rest of the patients were in isolation at their homes. To date, two have been discharged from PIMS after treatment.

According to details as many as 30 of the total patients so far confirmed positive in Rawalpindi were undergoing treatment at Corona Management Centre at Rawalpindi Institute of Urology on Sunday. All the patients at RIU are stable and none of the patient is in need of ventilator support, said Medical Superintendent at RIU Dr. Khalid Randhawa while talking to ‘The News’ on Sunday.

He said the situation is getting worse in town as the COVID-19 outbreak has hit population in the region and if people do not take the instructions given by the government authorities serious at the time, the situation may get out of control in next few days.

He added the RIU has sufficient stock of personal protective equipment at the time while as many as 20 ventilators have already been provided to the RIU by the Punjab government. The best option, however for people is to follow proper preventive measures to control spread of the disease, he said.

Executive District Officer (Health) Dr. Sohail Ahmed Chaudhary while talking to ‘The News’ on Sunday said a total of 32 patients have so far been tested positive in the district while few families have been kept under quarantine at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi.

He reiterated that the people not only in the district but throughout the province have not been giving due attention to the instructions regarding precautionary measures and it is more alarming. It (the spread of COVID-19) should not be taken as a number game merely, actually it is the public attitude that can change the situation, he said.

People must realize that doctors, nurses, paramedics along with staff of a number of departments have been working day and night for them and they expect individuals to follow precautionary measures properly, he said. People must stay at home, he said.