HYDERABAD: 26, NOVEMBER, 2020: COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Hyderabad, district of Sindh as Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) are being violated here.

People of the city are continously ignoring safety guidelines set by the government to control the spread of the novel coronavirus even wearing facemasks. The violation of the SOPs may lead to rise the virus cases in the city and the situation could worsen in coming weeks.

According to Health Department, during last 24 hours, 458 people in the city have been tested for COVID-19, out of them 114 people returned positive after which the number of active cases has reached 1,245 and the death toll from the virus has mounted to 112 after two deaths was reported.

The concerned department added that, Hyderabad has recorded 7,204 cases so far since the virus began whereas 5,847 patients have been recuperated so far.

As many as 1218 covid-19 patients isolated at homes while 27 patients are being treated at Civil Hospital, sources informed.

During last 24 hours, most affected patients are from Taluka Qasimabad, Latifabad and city, the sources added.

A day earlier, in the wake of increasing number of coronavirus infections in the city, Deputy Commissioner issued an order for immediate implementation on the directives of the Home Department to control the spread the virus.

According to the details, the Assistant Commissioners were instructed to strictly follow the instructions of the Home Department. Action will be taken against citizens who leave their homes without masks. Wedding functions will only be allowed outdoors with a maximum guest capacity of 200 people till 9:00pm. No buffet services is allowed, serving of food in packed box at outdoor marriages.

As per notification, all the commercial hubs will be shut on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The notification added that all business centers should be closed at 6 pm. Authorities were asked to ensure implementation of SOPs during business activities. While shops will be sealed over Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) violations.

Earlier, Hyderabad district administration on Monday (November 23) imposed a smart lockdown in various parts of the city, witnessing a second wave of the deadly virus. The decision had been taken as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city.

According to sources, the Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Fuad Ghaffar Soomro imposed a smart lockdown in 17 areas of the city from November 23 to December 5, 2020.

As per the order released by the Hyderabad Commissioner's Office as a step to control the spread of the coronavirus, the smart lockdown enforced in hotspot areas in Hyderabad from Nov 23 (Monday) and will remain effective till Dec 5 (Saturday). 

The areas put under smart lockdown include, Baldia Colony, Mubarak Colony, Journalist Colony, Gulistan-e-Fatima, Daman-e-Kohsar, Airport Road Latifabad, Latifabad Unit No 6, Nasim Nagar, Wadhu Wah Road, Bhitai Town Qasimabad, Bhitai Nagar, Citizen Colony, Gulistan-e-Sajjad, Alamdar Chowk, Diplai Co-operative Housing Society, Attock city, ISRA village.

According to the order, the movement of residents in hotspot areas was strictly prohibited and only one person from a house was allowed to go out during smart lockdown. However, grocery, bakeries and medical stores remained open in the affected areas during SLD.

Timing for essential services except pharmacies in these areas will be 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. The streets of affected areas closed with hurdles and deployment of police personnel. (04)