Isolation CentreFor Coronavirus Set Up In Srinagar

Srinagar: Amid Coronavirus scare in India, authorities have intensified screening of passengers arriving at Srinagar International Airport while an isolation facility has been established in this summer capital to fight the deadly disease.

Meanwhile, Dr Shafqat Khan, who is the designated Nodal Officer of the coronavirus control efforts in Kashmir, advised people to avoid handshake and instead greet each other by saying ‘namaskar’.

Five persons with a recent history of travelling to coronavirus-affected countries were kept in the isolation ward of S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after they showed symptoms of the disease on Thursday.

Officials said that the Directorate of Health Services of Kashmir has set up isolation centre at Santnagar in the city. “The facility, which will be used to quarantine suspected patients, has a capacity of 10 new beds,” they said.

They said the suspected passengers arriving at the Srinagar airport will be directly brought for the screening to the facility stop the disease from spreading.

Dr Navida, who is the in charge of Santnagar isolation facility, said the centre is equipped with proper facility of screening, 24-hours medical staff and latest equipments.

However, she said that the facility is only an isolation ward and if anyone is tested positive for the virus, the patient will be referred to SKIMS for treatment. “We won’t test them here. We will collect the samples and sent it to SMHS hospital. If the test is negative, the person is free to go. But if the test comes positive, then we will refer him to territory care hospital, where treatment will be give to the patient,” she added.

Namaskar is the best way to greet each other. It’s a time tested thousands of years old tradition. Avoid-handshake,” Dr Khan wrote on his twitter handle.

“Please self report at any health facility if you have travelled to any COVID-19 affected countries and have developed any of the symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty in breathing,” he added.

The district administration Srinagar said that the health department with active support of CISF and airport officials has intensified checking of people travelling to the valley.

Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary said that five help desks have been established at Srinagar airport. “Health Deptt Sgr with active help of @CISFHQrs and @AAI_Official established 5 help desks at Srinagar aiport. #CoronaVirusUpdate . For all those travelling to Srinagar. Pl report,” he wrote on twitter.

Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, has been appointed as overall in-charge of the coronavirus control efforts at the Union Territory level. He will work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K.

 

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