ISLAMABAD: With 13,292 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 130 deaths so far, the residents of the federal capital Islamabad have started 'living with coronavirus', as families including children and women can be seen even in crowds in parks and hiking spots in Margalla Hills.

Although the administration has not formally announced the opening of various major public parks, including Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9 Sector, Marghazar Zoo and Lake View Park, families with their children can be seen in the small parks. The families including children can also be seen on the hiking trails, including Trail-3 and Trail-5 in Margalla Hills not only on the weekends, but also on the working days apparently to kill their boredom due to staying at homes because of the pandemic.

However, it is encouraging to see people have started following precautionary measures by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at public places.

Meanwhile, the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases in the federal capital rose to 13,292, while 130 people have lost their lives in the federal capital due to COVID-19. According to official data, 8,610 people have recovered in the federal capital while fighting the coronavirus.

Due to the precautionary measures and sealing of hotspots of the coronavirus in the federal capital, the new cases have shown a sharp decline, and authorities believe that the virus can further be contained due to the continued following of precautionary measures and obeying the SOPs by the people.

According to District Health Officer Zaeem Zia, the mortality rate in Islamabad is less than one percent, and the city is witnessing a sharp decline in the new cases of COVID-19.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020