Srinagar: Eleven more persons tested positive for COVID-19 across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, taking the number of positive cases to 49 across J&K UT.
An official said that eight people tested positive for the COVID-19 in Kashmir, while three tested positive in Jammu today. “Number of cases in Kashmir has risen to 37 while in Jammu region it has gone to 12,” the official added.
A local news agency GNS while quoting official sources said that a number of test reports were received today, confirming eight positive cases. While four of them are admitted in SKIMS Soura, two each are presently in JLNM and district hospital Pulwama respectively, they said.
Two among them are residents of Sedow and Ramnagri of Shopian district in south Kashmir and have a travel history to Indonesia. The duo had also shared a sumo vehicle on way to home from Jammu to Srinagar with a COVID-19 patient from Bemina Srinagar, they said.
The two persons admitted in JLNM hospital include a father-son duo. Residents of Bemina Srinagar, the 61-year-old male and his 32-year-old son had returned from Saudi Arabia on March 16, sharing the same flight as that of the Kashmir’s first COVID-19 patient, a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar Srinagar who has almost recovered fully since and her latest test came out to be negative.
A senior officer at SKIMS also confirmed to GNS that four more persons tested positive for COVID-19 and include a 36-year-old a resident of Lal Bazar who had recently returned from Kolkata while two others include 30-year-old male from Saderkote Balla Bandipora who is believed to be contact of a precious COVID-19 patient while another is a 27-year-old youth from Soibugh area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district who has travelled to Orissa as part of a ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ and had returned recently.
The other one is a 24-year-old from Noorbagh area of Srinagar and had returned from Haryana recently, the sources added.
Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo said that 21 suspected persons were admitted to the hospital on Monday and their sample have been sent for the test.
The CD hospital at Dalgate has been now designated full-fledged COVID-19 positive patients in wake of growing number of patients.
When contacted HoD Chest Disease Hospital, Dr Naveed Nazir Shah said that as per the new circular, only COVID-19 patients are to be admitted to the hospital now. “We are in the process of shifting the other patients whose test came negative to quarantine centers in Zakura and other government designated places.”
Regarding positive cases reported earlier in the day, he said 29 test reports were received and of them 25 came out to be negative and four as positive. “Two of them are admitted in District hospital Pulwama and two others are at JLNM hospital.”
“We have 15 samples of the CD hospital pending and nearly 100 samples which are expected from JLNM and other hospitals,” Dr Naveed said.
Sources said over 50 patients have been shifted from JLNM hospital to NIT Dargah for quarantine by the authorities.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 48 positive cases 44 are active positive, 2 have recovered and 2 have died.
Till date 11644 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which also include 355 persons who are in Hospital Isolation and Hospital Quarantine.
The bulletin further said that 722 samples have been sent for testing of which 659 have tested as negative and 15 reports are awaited till March 30, 2020.
Meanwhile, in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.
Furthermore a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).
According to the advisory, Globally, COVID-19 has impacted several lives and is steadily increasing its reach. “Government is taking necessary measures including imposition of lockdown to contain the spread of the virus to protect and safeguard the lives of people and it is therefore critical for each one of us to follow the advisories and take necessary precautions to break the chain of transmission of the disease,” the advisory read.
People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.
General public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.
“Public in general is therefore advised to avoid un-necessary travel & use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.
The Advisory urged people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.(With inputs From GNS)
