161 positive cases in Srinagar lowest data since outbreak of second wave: Deputy Commissioner
By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: During the past few days number of COVID-19 cases in Kashmir are on a decline and the positivity rate is dropping, but the experts are of the opinion that the guard cannot be lowered till the virus is defeated completely.
It’s in place to mention here that the administration had imposed a month-long complete lockdown in Kashmir after the surge in cases in April this year. The restrictions have been lifted partially to restore the semblance of normalcy, but the officials and experts have been reiterating that people need to follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior to keep the virus at bay.
On Monday Jammu and Kashmir reported 977 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest single-day spike in two months. As many as 288 cases were reported from Jammu division and 689 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally of infected persons to 301467.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Vaccines are working as the people who took Covid jabs are better equipped to fight the pestilence. The second wave of the pandemic has made it clear that the virus has not gone anywhere and it can raise its ugly head at any point of time.”
He said that the decline in the number of positive cases doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over. “We have to take precautions and very importantly get ourselves vaccinated without wasting any time. People have to give up vaccine hesitancy if they want to get rid of the virus.”
“161 positive cases in Srinagar today is lowest data of the lower data since the outbreak of Covid second wave. But the pandemic is not over yet. A median between lockdown and unlock holds the key,” tweeted Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Ajaz Asad.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Krittika Jyotsna and DC Kupwara Imam Din told reporters that the positivity rate in their districts has declined considerably.
“The cumulative positivity rate has come down from 11.5 % to 6% in Ganderbal district, and the recovery rate has also increased to 89 percent,” Jyotsna said.
The DC Kupwara while briefing the media men stated that the recovery rate has increased upto 89 percent whereas, the positivity rate has significantly come down from 9.5% to 5.33% in the district.
A medico said, “Hospitals in Srinagar are still crowded but patients are recuperating. Things are looking better but it’s too early to declare Kashmir pandemic free.”
He said that the aggressive vaccination drive being carried out by the Health Department has helped and “if it continues at the same pace we can hope that coming months can be better.”
