Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 3: The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to eerie silence in Kashmir as the number of positive cases is increasing. People are trying their best to stay indoors to save themselves from this deadly virus which has claimed thousands of lives across the globe.
“People in Kashmir are used to shutdowns and curfews, but this time around things are different. This is a lockdown aimed at stopping the virus from spreading within the community,” an analyst told Precious Kashmir.
He said, “Jammu and Kashmir administration has been working hard to keep the people safe. The administration has ensured that the travellers arriving in Kashmir are screened and sent into 14-day quarantine.”
The analyst said that initially people were reluctant to disclose their travel history but during the past few days many people have come forward voluntarily. “It’s a good sign,” he added.
More than 600 people have completed their quarantine period and they have been sent back home. According to the media reports COVID-19 positive patients admitted at SKIMS and CD Hospital in Srinagar are recuperating and are responding to the treatment. “Situation is not that grim. There is a ray of hope that things will once again start moving in Kashmir,” another analyst said.
He said, “There are certain issues which need to be addressed but that doesn’t mean that nothing is being done on the ground. Administration has moved at a rapid pace to identify the contacts of the COVID-19 positive cases. Wherever the positive cases have been detected such areas have been sanitized and declared as red zones.”
The analyst said, “There were complaints about doctors and medical staff members not being provided with the protective gear but things have been sorted out to a great extent. All of us are aware of the fact that during the past few days number of positive cases has increased. Now it’s in our own hands to handle the situation. Being positive for COVID-19 doesn’t mean that a person will die. The mortality rate is not that high.”
He said, “It’s unfortunate that a few people are attaching social stigma to COVID-19. They need to mend their ways and attitude. This is a pandemic and anyone can fall prey to it. We need to develop patience and be human towards these COVID-19 positive patients.”
An observer said, “We are all hopeful that these difficult times will pass and we will defeat this deadly virus. But we have to remain firm on our resolve that we won’t allow this virus to move.”
