Islamabad badly hit by coronavirus second wave; reports more than 200 new cases for five straight days

The federal capital has been worst hit by the second coronavirus wave, reports more than 200 cases for five straight days.

According to the authorities, Islamabad has reported 255 new coronavirus cases, and 2 more COVID-19 related deaths on Sunday.

The capital’s coronavirus cases tally has surged to 21,557 while the total number of deaths has reached 238.

Amid a surge in positive coronavirus cases, certain areas of the city will undergo a smart lockdown from Monday. The areas that will be locked down include G-6/2, G-9/1, G-10/4, I-8/3, and I-8/4.

According to a notification from the deputy commissioner Islamabad, the lockdown will be effective in Islamabad’s targeted locations from Monday, November 9.

“Subsectors 1-8/3, 1-8/4, G-9/1, G-10/4, and G-6/2 Islamabad are hereby sealed (locked down) w.e.f. 10.00 A.M, 09.11.2020 in larger public interest arid until further orders,” says the notification.

“The exemptions to this order include essential services and supplies like pharmacy, patients for medical aid, rationing, drinking water supplies, and emergency, etc,” it added further.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat in a tweet shared that these areas will be sealed in the next 24 hours for “emerging as covid hotspots.”

“Schools, Mosques, Shopping centers, parks, etc will be closed,” he added.

However, essential services and supplies like pharmacy, ration, drinking water, and medical emergency, are exempted from the lockdown restrictions.