Smart lockdown begins as isolation wards run out of space

BOONI: As the cases of novel coronavirus suddenly started increasing and the small isolation ward of the government hospital and a private emergency response centre ran out of space, the district administration decided to go for a targeted lockdown in areas where the cases have emerged.

The decision was taken at a meeting held with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) M. Irfan Uddin in the chair.

The meeting was also attended by doctors and police officers.

The meeting was informed about the latest standard operating procedures (SOPs) prepared by the provincial government to check further spread of the virus and create awareness among the public about the precautionary measures.

The ADC issued directions to implement the SOPs and start a targeted lockdown in the affected areas and isolate the positive patients.

It was decided that areas in Booni, Kuragh and Mastuj where the residents have tested positive would be locked down.

According to a notification issued by the provincial government, a smart lockdown has been impsoed in Mulgram Booni, Syedan Dur Kuragh and Beladuri Reshun. As many as 16 positive cases emerged form these areas on June 13.

With these, the total number of cases in Upper Chitral increased to 50. With the emergence of the new cases, there is no space left at the emergency response centre and the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Booni.

As a result, the administration decided to isolate the new patients at their homes and also continue working to strictly implement the SOPs such as fining people found not wearing face masks and ignoring social distancing.