COVID -19: 3 Dubai returnees, 8 family members among 91 new cases in J&K; Tally mounts to 1759   

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar:  Four pregnant women, eight members of a family and three persons who arrived from Dubai in a special flight were among 91 cases of the COVID-19 infection in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, taking the overall tally of the patients to 1759—1411 in Valley and 348 in Jammu.

Sources said that among the fresh cases, 29 were reported from Ramban, 12 from Budgam, 10 from Jammu, seven from Srinagar, six from Baramulla, four each from Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kathua, Poonch, three from Reasi, two each from Pulwama, Udhampur, Samba while one each from Kulgam and Kupwara.

They said among all cases, 902—255 in Jammu and 647 in Valley—are active positive as 833 patients—90 in Jammu and 743 in Kashmir—have recovered while 24 others have died.

Dr. Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar told GNS that out of the 590 samples tested at microbiology laboratory at CD hospital here, 25 returned positive for the virus and nine of them were repeated.

He said among all the cases, 14 were from Baramulla and include 3 pregnant women—20-year-old from Sopore, 27-year-old from Tengpora besides 35-year-old from main Baramulla—and 8 members of a family from Hardo Ichloo—8-year-old girl and 3 women aged 25, 27 and 50 years and four men aged 20, 22, 27 and 53 years—while among others include 45-year-old from Wankara, 26-year-old from Dangerpora  and 29-year-old from Tangmarg. Five of the cases were reported from Bandipora and included among others 20-year-old and 24-year-old men from Sumbal and 30-year-old man from Tulail Gurez.  Four cases were reported from Ganderbal  and includes a pregnant woman –25-year-old and 23-year-old youth from Kangan besides 28-year-old man from Shuhama and 32-year-old from Saloora while two were from Pulwama—21-year-old youth from Armulla and 20-year-old from Telangam.

Principal SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Dr Riyaz Untoo, told GNS that out of 471 samples tested, 19 retuned positive and include 12 from Budgam—seven from Magam,four from Soibug and one Narbal— six from Srinagar and include three from Alamgiri Bazar and two from Hawal while one sample pertains to a resident from Kuthua. He said three among the positive cases were passengers of flight from Dubai. “Out of 155 passengers, 3 reports came out to be were positive,” he said. Sources said among them, one each is from Kathua, Narbal Budgam and Srinagar.

Professor Farooq Jan, medical superintendent SKIMS, said that among the 333 samples, received from Airport, 325 have returned negative while 8 others are under process.  Besides, around 1000 samples received from districts are also under process. “It will take some time,” he added.

So far Anantnag has 278 COVID-19 patients, highest in all districts, followed by Kulgam (228), Srinagar (189), Kupwara (166), Bandipora (143), Baramulla (143), Shopian (129), Jammu (109), Budgam (76), Kathua (53), Udhampur (39), Ramban (74), Ganderbal (31), Pulwama (28), Samba (29), Rajouri (13),  Poonch (12), Reasi (9), Kishtwar (8) and Doda (2).

Meanwhile,  the government said till date 142901 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 32714 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 62 in Hospital Quarantine, 902 in hospital isolation and 33573 home surveillance. Besides, 75626 persons have completed their surveillance period.  (GNS)