ISLAMABAD: With a sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Islamabad and Rawalpindi districts, 25 localities were sealed in several sectors and closure of a dozen educational institutions has been recommended in the capital on Friday.

Furthermore, seven people succumbed to the virus in both regions, with the positivity ratio in Rawalpindi and Islamabad shooting up to 16.03 and 18.9pc, respectively.

As many as 1,359 cases surfaced in the capital while 350 people tested positive in Rawalpindi. Those who died in Islamabad resided in I-8, G-11, G-7 and G-8 and were between the ages of 60 and 90. However, no information was available about the casualties in Rawalpindi.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said 25 streets were sealed where citizens had tested positive in the last couple of days.

The sealed streets are streets no 50, 52 and 53 in F-10/4, streets 21, 23 and 28 in F-11/2, streets 15, 21 and 46 in G-11/2, streets 52, 56, 59, 79 and 80 in G-6/4, streets 31, 36, 37, 38, 42 and 44 in F-8/1 and streets 5, 6, 10, 11, and 17 of F-8/3.

Exemptions to the order include essential services and supplies like pharmacy and medicine shops, grocery stores and bakeries, patients in need of medical aid/medical consultation, drinking water supplies, utilities, and emergency. However, these exemptions will be regulated by standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Islamabad police was also requested to cordon off streets to ensure public safety while assistant commissioners were told to ensure that essential commodities and food supplies in these sealed areas were provided to people.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and request the media to educate people on following SOPs and getting vaccinated,” District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said, adding that contact tracing of such a large number of patients would be difficult to handle.

The situation is being evaluated and an adequate plan of action will be formulated, he said, adding that under the guidelines of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the Ministry of National Health Services, the government and health authorities will keep carrying out ground activities.

Coronavirus has been detected in Islamabad Model School for Boys (VI-X) G-8/4, Islamabad Model School for Girls I-10/4, Islamabad Model College for Boys H-9, Islamabad Model College for Boys I-8/3, Islamabad Model College for Girls, Lohi Bher, Islamabad Model College for Girls Tarlai, Islamabad Model School for Girls Alipur Farash, Islamabad Model College for Boys F-8/4, Islamabad Model College for Girls Korang Town, Islamabad Model School for Girls (VI-X) I-10/4, Islamabad Model School for Boys F-11/1, and OPF Girls College F-8/2.

Assistant Commissioner Secretariat Aneel Sayed said Beacon House Newlands was sealed after the virus was traced among students and staff.

During the last 24 hours, 7,187 tests have been conducted in the capital.