ISLAMABAD: The number of coronavirus cases in the federal capital reached 866 on Friday evening, which is expected to further surge due to apparent lack of precautionary measures followed by the general public against the pandemic.

According to official data, out of 866 cases, the number of deaths in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) due to coronavirus was recorded at seven, and the number of patients who have recovered from the pandemic 100.

Presently, the violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised for control of the spread of the coronavirus is rampant across the ICT as the district administration has failed to take any action.

Recently, the traders and the office-bearers of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) had given assurances to the district administration about implementation of the SOPs and demanded relaxation in lockdown measures.

If the traders failed to ensure implementation of the SOPs in a day or two, the administration will have no option but to again impose lockdown, according to district administration officials.

The local traders’ unions and Corona Tiger Force have been asked to jointly ensure implementation of the SOPs.

Under the SOPs, wearing of face mask and use of hand sanitisers are mandatory as well as checking of temperature of employees in the shops.

Keeping a six-feet distance among shops’ employees and clients is also part of the SOPs.

According to official data, till May 13 the main hotspots of the capital include Sector I-10 with 57 cases, Tarlai 45 cases, Bhara Kahu 45 cases, Lohi Bhair 36, I-8 34, and 30 cases in Sector G-11. Similarly, 30 cases were reported from Sector G-6, 28 from Sector G-8, 26 from Sector G-10, 26 from Sohan, 23 from sector G-9, 23 from Shehzad Town, 22 from Sector I-9, 22 from Sector G-13, 20 from Sector F-7, 20 from Sector G-7, 20 from Sector F-7, 12 from Sector F-6, 12 from Rawal Town, and 13 from Sector E-11 as on May 13th.—SARDAR SIKANDER SHAHEEN