No respite in Covid-19 cases in Rawalpindi, Islamabad.

Byline: Aamir Yasin and Munawer Azeem

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD -- The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continued to see surge in Covid-19 cases as 117 patients tested positive in the garrison city while Islamabad received 63 cases on Thursday.

At least three people have died and nine were discharged in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, markets and shopping malls in the twin cities were allowed to reopen do not appear to be following social distancing guidelines or taking other preventive measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and no action has been taken against such establishments and their owners despite directives to this effect from Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

A 57-year-old man who lived on 6th Road died from Covid-19 on Thursday, two days after he was admitted to Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

An 82-year-old resident of Shah Allah Ditta Road in Bagh Sardaran, who was admitted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) on May 12 has also died, as did a 65-year-old man who lived in the same area and was also brought to BBH on May 12.

Markets, shopping malls not following social distancing guidelines or taking other preventive measures

The total number of patients in Rawalpindi has reached 1,541, of which 63 have died and 304 have recovered. Currently, 595 people are being treated in hospitals and 579 are isolated in their homes.

While the number of cases in Rawalpindi continues to rise exponentially, 14 new cases were reported in the neighbouring districts of Attock and Chakwal, where 13 and one cases were reported, respectively, on Thursday.

Although two residents of Bagh Sardaran have died, the district administration has yet to seal any portion of the locality. Only the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company disinfected the area around the patients' homes.

When asked, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that the district administrations had been told to seal areas where a large number of cases were reported.

He said the chief minister had expressed concern regarding violations of coronavirus prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) in markets and issued directives that the district administration take action against violators.

He said the government did not permit a procession on Youm-i-Ali and limited Aitikaf in mosques. Majalis can be held in homes and imambargahs but the internal security department has issued 20-point guidelines that have been sent to the inspector general of police, commissioners and deputy...