By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: At the emergence of two Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases each in Shahzad Town and Rimsha Colony H-9 Islamabad, both the areas have been sealed as a measure to halt the outburst of the deadly virus. DC Islamabad Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that health teams will monitor both the areas and take preventive measures.
DC Islamabad debunked the rumors on social media about the death of a Coronavirus patient in G-13/4, Islamabad. The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that the death was caused by a drug overdose given to the diseased by his friend who is now on the run. He said that it was a mistake on the part of an Edhi volunteer which caused the dissemination of false information.
Earlier on other day, Bara Kaho was fully locked down to contain the spread of Coronavirus over reports of 16 Cases. However, now the area has partially been opened. He said that the areas would be reopened after a health survey. ‘In light of the recent confirmed reports of individuals infected with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) residing in Rimsha Colony, H-9, Islamabad and Shehzad Town, Islamabad the entire areas falling in these localities are hereby sealed forthwith exercise of powers conferred under Epidemic Disease Act (1958), in large public interest and to prevent wide spread outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Moreover, Islamabad Police, Ranges and Pakistan Army are requested to cordon off above mentioned area to ensure the public safety,’ said the notification of sealing Shahzad Town and Rimsha Colony H-9 issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) District Magistrate.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad also asked the people to self-quarantine in separate rooms who attended the funeral prayer of the mother-in-law of Faisal Mehmood Sahb, a resident of Street No 6 at Shahzad Town, on last Friday (March 20). He also asked such people to get them tested for the Coronavirus and ask for help at 1165 if required.
It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government has deployed the Pakistan army across Pakistan under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration battling with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. The Interior Ministry has issued separate notifications for the deployment of armed forces across the Country which state that the power to deploy the army has been exercised under Article 245 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Section 131A of CrPC 1089.
