There are many worrying signs as cases of novel coronavirus see a surge in Jammu and Kashmir. Already the case tally has crossed 4000-mark even as a fortnight ago it seemed some distance away.
One district has surpassed 500-mark while five others are very fast nearing towards the milestone. At least 45 deaths have taken place so far. Similarly, at least half of the districts have a doubling rate of less around two weeks against average double rate in J&K. Also, there are some districts which have seen a considerable increase in the cases even when there are no returnees. For example, Anantnag has 444 cases as on June 7 and travelers include only 26 while remaining are locals. Similarly, Srinagar has 290 local among 457 cases, Shopian 351 local among 370 cases while Kulgam had 310 local out of 527 total cases hitherto June 7.
This also indicates that there are many areas where the positivity rate of cases is much higher for the local population than for returnees. As per the experts, there are a number of cases where contact chains could not be fully established by the authorities. In other words, the spike in deaths as well as the cases with unknown history remains a major cause of concern. Some of the experts have openly stated that spike in cases signals community transmission even as wording remains guarded and mute.
The government itself has called for the need to be cautious and that there is no room for complacency. While the spike in the cases is worrying, the government needs to get its act together and follow a guarded approach. Among them, science should be the first and last resort. Science calls for widespread testing, a precise process of contact tracing, home isolation for asymptomatic cases and those with mild symptoms, hospitalisation for all other cases, and oxygen and, if needed, ventilator support for severe ones. The government also needs to be transparent with data and should not hide anything as the government not only in states or UTs in India but globally are overwhelmed due to the health challenge. The government should also remain focused on delivery. It should provide medical support to those in need. And should ramp up the health infrastructure and ensure protection to the vulnerable. The spike in the cases calls for meeting these challenges without wastage of any time.
One district has surpassed 500-mark while five others are very fast nearing towards the milestone. At least 45 deaths have taken place so far. Similarly, at least half of the districts have a doubling rate of less around two weeks against average double rate in J&K. Also, there are some districts which have seen a considerable increase in the cases even when there are no returnees. For example, Anantnag has 444 cases as on June 7 and travelers include only 26 while remaining are locals. Similarly, Srinagar has 290 local among 457 cases, Shopian 351 local among 370 cases while Kulgam had 310 local out of 527 total cases hitherto June 7.
This also indicates that there are many areas where the positivity rate of cases is much higher for the local population than for returnees. As per the experts, there are a number of cases where contact chains could not be fully established by the authorities. In other words, the spike in deaths as well as the cases with unknown history remains a major cause of concern. Some of the experts have openly stated that spike in cases signals community transmission even as wording remains guarded and mute.
The government itself has called for the need to be cautious and that there is no room for complacency. While the spike in the cases is worrying, the government needs to get its act together and follow a guarded approach. Among them, science should be the first and last resort. Science calls for widespread testing, a precise process of contact tracing, home isolation for asymptomatic cases and those with mild symptoms, hospitalisation for all other cases, and oxygen and, if needed, ventilator support for severe ones. The government also needs to be transparent with data and should not hide anything as the government not only in states or UTs in India but globally are overwhelmed due to the health challenge. The government should also remain focused on delivery. It should provide medical support to those in need. And should ramp up the health infrastructure and ensure protection to the vulnerable. The spike in the cases calls for meeting these challenges without wastage of any time.
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