Coronavirus Update: Karachi braces for another ‘smart lockdown’

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While the authorities were reportedly contemplating imposition of ‘smart lockdown’ in certain highly COVID-19 ridden areas of Karachi, Sindh registered another 2,287 new infection cases, with 33 relevant deaths on June 16, taking the overall tally of lethal virus infection to 57,868 and deaths to 886 for the province. 

According to official data, the province has added an average of 1,852 new cases and endured 27 deaths every day of June.

Among the districts, as of June 15, Karachis East district had the maximum concentration of virus with about 453 cases every 100,000 people, followed by Karachi South (430/100,000), Karachi Malir (231) and other districts. 

Karachi East had a total 10,658 cases of infection, followed by Karachi South (9,195 cases), Karachi Central 7,376), Karachi Malir (4,639), Karachi West (3,896), Karachi Korangi district (3,798) and other districts. 

Karachi division in all reported 1,854 new infections and deaths of 30 COVID-19 patients including 21 men and nine women, taking the tally of infection to 46,481 and death to 730 while a total 22,914 patients have recovered from the disease so far. 

According to the Sindh health department data, men having lost their lives in hospitals or at homes were aged 35 to 85 years while the deceased women were in the age brackets of 30 to 92 years. In addition, two men of 35 and 40 years respectively, and a 65-year-old woman expired at Hyderabad. 

Among the districts other than those of Karachi, Hyderabad reported the maximum new cases (77) during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on June 16. Ghotki registered 72 new cases, followed by Badin (43), Jamshoro (24), Shaheed Benazirabad (22), Larkana (22), Kambar Shahdadkot (19), Naushero Feroze (18), Sujawal (18), Dadu (18), Shikarpur (14), Sukkur (13), Sanghar (13), Khairpur (11), Kashmore (11), Matiari (9), Mirpurkhas (9), Jacobabad (9), Umerkot (5), Tando Allahyar (3) and Tando Mohammad Khan (1).

Across the Sindh, 2,417 patients recovered from COVID-10 during the last 24 hours, taking the total of such patients to 29,245. As many as 319,231 samples were tested for COVID in the province, so far.

In the meantime, according to reports, Sindh government was planning to enforce restrictions on ‘unnecessary’ movement of people in three districts of Karachi, including 13 union councils of Karachi West, 16 union councils of East and 14 union councils of Korangi. 

The areas expected to be closed in phases included Mohammad Ali Society, Bahadurabad, Essa Nagri, Nasir Colony, Awami Colony, Model Colony, Alfalah, Drigh Road, Natha Khan, Khokhrapar, Bhittai Colony, Zaman Town, Chakra Goth, Jahangir Road, Soldier Bazar, Numaish, some blocks of Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah Colony, Martin’s Quarters, Safoora Goth and others.