Residents demand mass testing to overcome fear
Kashmir News Trust
Gund Jahangir (Bandipora), Apr 14: COVID-19 crisis has shaken the people of Gund Jahangir area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. A hamlet with population of 3,301 as per 2011 Census is presenting a ghost look with everyone staying indoors. “Stepping out is to invite virus to your house. There is so much fear among people,” said Sajad Ahmed, a student to Kashmir News Trust.
There are about 435 households in the hamlet which has recorded 26 COVID-19 confirmed positive cases and a death.
There are kids, females, young and old who are infected with COVID-19 infection in the village.
Ironically, the deceased Covid-19 patient from the Gund Jahangeer hamlet had no travel history. Locals believe that the infection spread among people from its neighbouring Naidkhai village where 3 positive cases were reported.
“When Naidkhai reported its first COVID-19 case, Gundjahangeer was free of Coronavirus. Three persons, affiliated with Tableegi Jamat were the first three cases reported from Naidkhai. All the three persons had come in contact with first deceased COVID-19 patient hailing from Sopore.
A medico said that dozens of reports are still awaited and all these samples have been collected in Gundjahangeer. “Some more positive cases may surface in the hamlet as a large number of people are already in quarantine,” he said.
North Kashmir’s Bandipora district with a population of over 4 lakh people has recorded over 50 COVID-19 positive cases.
Locals from Gundjahangeer demanded that mass testing should be conducted so that they could come out from the present trauma. “At least through testing it will become clear who are free of infection and who need care,” they said.
