Srinagar: A 65-year-old man infected with Coronavirus died in a hospital here on Thursday, becoming the first victim of the deadly disease in Jammu and Kashmir.
“An elderly man, who was tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, passed away at Chest Disease Hospital due to cardiac arrest this morning,” officials said.
They said that the patient had a medical history of prolonged illness with diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Confirming the development, J&K Union Territory spokesperson Rohit Kansal said that 65-year-old man from Hyderpora, Srinagar, was the first person to die of Coronavirus in J&K. “Sad News : First death due to Coronavirus- 65 years old male from Hyderpora Srinagar. Four of his contacts also tested positive yesterday,” Kansal twetted.
The patient had returned from New Delhi recently after attending ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ attended by people from Indonesia and Malaysia.
On Wednesday, four persons from Bandipora, who were tested positive for Coronavirus on, had come in contact with the 65-year-old man during a religious event.
They said now there are eleven ‘active positive’ Coronavirus patients while one has been treated successfully in J&K.
Meanwhile, the 65-year old COVID-19 victim, was laid to rest at his ancestral village in Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district later in the afternoon. Only twenty five persons were allowed to participate in the funeral.
An official said that the cask of the deceased was carried in by men dressed in protective gear, while the relatives of the deceased wore masks.
2 minor siblings test positive
Meanwhile, Two minors siblings, were on Thursday tested positive for Coronavirus in Kashmir, bringing the total number of infected people to nine.
An official told UNI that two minors have been tested positive for Coronavirus on Thursday in Kashmir. “Grandchildren, including 7-year-old and 8-months-old, of a confirmed case from Srinagar with travel history to Saudi Arabia, who had tested positive on Tuesday,” they said.
They said the minors are grandchildren of the patient from Natipora, who had returned from Saudi Arabia on March 16 and was tested positive on Tuesday.
They said the first person, a woman, who was tested positive for Coronavirus, has been successfully treated.
Confirming the development, J&K Union Territory spokesperson Rohit Kansal said two more positive cases have been reported in Srinagar.
Rajouri man tests positive
Late in the evening J&K Union Territory spokesperson Rohit Kansal tweeted that one more person in Jammu’s Rajouri district has tested positive for the COVID-19.
“Another positive case reported just now; patient from Rajouri district of Jammu province. History of close contact with (now deceased) positive case,” Kansal tweeted.
5482 persons under surveillance in J&K, 14 test positive: Govt
The Government today informed that 5482 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance and, so far, 13 cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir (11 active positive, 01 recovered, 01 death).
According to the daily media bulletin on Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 3053 persons have been kept under home quarantine, including at facilities operated by the Government, while as 117 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 1761 while as 551 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
Further, the Bulletin said that 379 samples have been sent for testing, of which 341 tested as negative and 13 cases have tested positive of which one recovered and one died. It said that reports of 25 cases are awaited till March 26, 2020.
According to the Bulletin, the Government of India has requested for volunteer doctors who are fit and willing to be available for providing their services in the public health facilities and the training hospitals in the near future in case the outbreak leads to a high number of infected individuals.
Retired government, Armed Forces Medical Services, public sector undertaking or private doctors are appealed to come forward in this hour of need. Those who wish to contribute to this and be a part of this noble mission may register themselves on https://niti.gov.in/healthcovid/volunteer_covid.php
State Health Society, J&K has also called for hiring of specialists and Medical Officers (MBBS) under NHM in J&K. Qualified candidates can come for walk-in interview on any day at State Health Society, Nagrota Jammu for Jammu Division candidates and at NHM Office, Old Secretariat for Kashmir Division candidates.
The candidates are advised to call on 9419174640 (Jammu Division) and 7780966151 (Kashmir Division) to book their slots before coming for the interview.
General public can contact toll-free national helpline number 1075 for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19). The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard which can be reached at 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (Jammu Division),0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581(Kashmir Division).
Meanwhile, the government has appealed people to stay in their homes and take the lockdown with utmost sincerity as carelessness of few can throw all others into the grave jeopardy.
Those violating the lockdown orders can face legal action under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which lays down punishment as per Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for flouting such orders, the government advisory said.
The Government has also urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.
“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others,” the Government advisory said.
Further, the Government has appealed people to not panic and take care of health and protect others.
“Public in general is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport. Avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.
The advisory also calls upon the general public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the Government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
“People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time,” the advisory added.
(With Inputs From UNI)
