Srinagar: The Srinagar administration is mulling to slow down life in the summer capital of J&K to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases.
On Sunday Srinagar reported 520 positive cases following which the City Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted: “It can’t be business as usual.”
“Will be chairing a meeting tomorrow (Monday) to review our options in Srinagar as we see a sharp spike in COVID cases.”
In another tweet he said, “Can’t be business as-usual for sure. Doctors, epidemiologists and experts being consulted to advise appropriate policy course.”
An official while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Surge in COVID-19 cases is a cause of concern and in coming days more stringent measures will be put in place to prevent the virus from spreading at a rapid pace.”
He said, “The administration is monitoring the situation and the feedback being provided by the experts is alarming. It appears that the second wave is moving faster than the first one and all the options need to be explored to flatten the curve.”
It’s in place to mention here that a report by the Lancet Covid-19 Commission has warned that Coronavirus will likely claim nearly 1,750-2,320 lives per day in India by the first week of June 2021, if proper steps are not immediately taken to curb its spread.
An expert said, “If the cases keep on rising we can witness a repeat of 2020 and lockdown can return. May be the government may not go for complete closure of all the activities but there is possibility of mini lockdowns being enforced.”
He said, “Another option could be that the government could go for mass vaccination drive after closing down everything for a few days. As on date not many people in Kashmir have come forward to get themselves vaccinated. The notion that vaccines are unsafe and cannot fight new variant of COVID needs to be dispelled. People have to be made aware of the fact that all the pandemics till date have been defeated through vaccinations and by developing herd immunity.”
The expert said that individual and community behaviour change can yield powerful results. “Strong, decisive actions need to be taken to prevent the second wave from wreaking havoc in Kashmir. This can’t be done without slowing down the pace of life,” he added.
An observer said, “It seems that we may once again witness a situation wherein we will have to confine ourselves in our homes to keep ourselves safe. The only consolation we have is that we have already experienced the first wave and have fought it out. This time around we are equipped with vaccines and doctors are aware about the line of treatment. But we are caught in a difficult situation.”
As COVID cases surge, Srinagar Admin mulls to slowdown life in summer capital
