By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1895 fresh covid-19 cases while 32 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

They said among the fresh cases, 633 cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1262 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 292360.

Regarding the deaths, they said, 17 were from Jammu Division and 15 from Kashmir Valley, taking fatality count to 3939.

Providing district-wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 304 cases, Baramulla 161, Budgam 181, Pulwama 185, Kupwara 141, Anantnag 85, Bandipora 52, Ganderbal 61, Kulgam 66, Shopian  26, Jammu 218, Udhampur 52, Rajouri 64, Doda 73, Kathua 50, Samba 45, Kishtwar 24, Poonch 60, Ramban 39 and Reasi 39.

Moreover, they said, 3682 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—1448 from Jammu Division and 2234 from Kashmir. There are 33276 active cases at present, 12229 in Jammu and 21047 in Kashmir.   A number of fresh cases were confirmed at CD hospital and GMC Anantnag’s diagnostic laboratories.

The CD cases include male (16) from Api Sidco, two females (24, 11) from Batamaloo, female (34) from Barzulla, female (60) from Lalchowk, female (27) from Brein Nishat, male (23) from Nishat, female (36) from Basant Bagh, two males (40, 35) from Habak, male (24) from Ahmadnagar, female (35) from Hazratbal, female (27) from Tailbal, male (30) from Batapora, female (38) from Nowshera, male (38) from Mallabagh, male (25) from Bakura, male (30) from Kulgam Yaripora, female (60) from Brein Nishat, male (26) from Buchpora, two males (55, 80) from Qamarwari, male (45) from Narwara, female (35) from Lal Bazar, male (42) from Mill Stop, male (52) from Hawal, male (45) from Pathar Masjid, female (25) from Nowpora, male (73) from Fatehkadal, two males (35, 42) from Rainawari, female (70) from Barabarshah, female (06) from Habba Kadal, two females (18, 10) from Khaigam Pul, two males (16, 75) from Shaltakona Pul, female (45) from Renzipora Pul, male (25) and female (35) from Beighpora Pul, female (40) from Bamnu Pul, female (55) from Awantipora, two males (40, 84) and female (31) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (30) from Lethpora, female (47) from Zaffron Colony, male (45) and two females (75, 22) from Khonmoh, male (19) from Panthachowk, male (29) from Malangpora, two males (55, 38) and female (43) from Sharshali, female (45) and male (43) from Khrew, female (21) from Check Rajpora, male (22) from Doonigund, four females (65, 12, 43, 22) and three males (18, 38, 17) from Noorpora, female (95) from Buchoo Bala, three females (21, 28, 47) and male (50) from Rathsuna, male (70) from Goripora, female (46) and male (43) from Wandakpora, male (15) from Padgampora, two females (48, 32) from Dangerpora Padgampora, male (22) from Pinglish, male (13) from Ganderbal, female (31) and male (38) from Eidgah, male (40) from Bakshipora, male (40) from Noorbagh, female (40) from Zakura, male (25) from SR Gunj, male (50) from Anantnag, male (17) from Noorbagh, male (48) and female (43) from Alochibagh, female (28) from Bemina, two females (51, 20) from Sanatnagar, male (12) from Batmaloo, male (35) from Hyderpora, two males (31, 50) from Chattabal, male (35) and female (28) from Hawal, male (47) and female (20) from Bemina, male (30) from Nawakadal, female (22) from HMT, two females (32, 13) from Chattabal, male (26) from Karanagar, male (13) from Nowgam, male (30) from Mehjoor Nagar, female (30) from Gangbugh, male (28) from Safakadal, three males (10, 50, NA) and two females (09, 15) from Saria Payeen, female (60) from Magarmal Bagh, male (35) from CB Nath, two females (55, 12) from Keller, female (20) and male (30) from Dunaroo, female (16) from Bamnoo, male (44) and female (15) from Babnar, female (27) from Chatripora, female (70) from Hoomhoona, female (75) from Bonbazar, female (55) from Nullang Poshwari, female (27) from Mohanpora Trenz, female (65) from Babnar, male (40) and two females (45, 08) from Babapora, female (26) from Chittrtwach, male (18) from Reban, male (65) from Safanagri, female (24) from Awneera, male (38) from Durapora, female (25) from Sonwar, male (30) from Dargah, two females (62, 35) and male (34) from Nishat, male (55) from Mirza Bagh Nigeen, female (58) from Gulabagh, male (37) from Saderbal, female (78) from Khanyar, female (40) from Mallabagh, male (25) from Naid Kadal, female (33) from Ganderbal, female (37) and male (26) from Chewakalan, female (34) from Murran Pul, female (20) from Ashmander Pul, male (40) from Hassanwani Pul, female (35) from Karimabad Pul, male (51) from Pinglena Pul, fifteen males (24, 21, 36, 22, 19, 19, 22, 30, 19, 26, 18, 22, 21, 21, 22) from JK Plywood Sidco Pul, male (70) from Bathnoor, two females (21, 28) from Peernad, female (24) from Kakapora, two females (43, 34) and male (50) from Srinagar, female (29) from Rajbagh, male (52) from Rawalpora, male (35) from Noorbagh, female (23) from Budgam, male (72) from Batmaloo, male (76) from Panthachowk, male (33) and two females (29, 70) from Arwani Kulgam, female (17) from Baghi Mehtab, male (05) from Lolab, male (55) from Fatehkadal, male (65) from Shopian, female (50) from Pul, male (45) from Pampore, female (53) and two males (17, 50) from Batmaloo, male (47) from Alochibagh and female (47) from Chattabal.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (21) from Nowathoo Ang, male (45) from Siligam, male (34) from Dailgam, female (34) from Kallora Shpn, male (24) from Patti Akhran, two males (54, 18) from Sarnal Bala, male (25) from Anchidora, male (20) from Kawarigam, male (40) from Marwah, male (30) from Verinag, female (34) from Dailgam, female (28) from SK Colony, male (45) from Ganoora, two females (22, 50) from Donipawa, male (38) from Mir Danter, male (26) from Anantnag, female (17) from Shirpora, female (40) from Kanelwan, two females (42, 13) from Seepan, male (28) from Krad Shangus, male (48) and female (17) from Ranipora Shangus, female (60) from Tooru Shangus, two males (32, 33) from Ranipora Shangus, male (14) from Mattan Chowk Ang, male (38) from Brah Chittergull, male (41) from Bihar, two females (46, 45) from Jablipora, male (55) from Goriwan, male (60) from Malwan, male (45) and female (17) from Kulgam, male (32) from H C Gam, three males (21, 23, 38) from Behibagh, two males (27, 23) from Chanser, three males (45, 33, 60) from Checki Hanjan, female (55) from Kulgam, female (38) from Nanibugh, male (35) from Noo, male (35) from Palnoo, two males (40, 37) from Budroo, male (35) and female (40) from Noonmai, female (45) from Yaripora, female (30) from Kharbada, male (31) from H S Bugh, female (60) from Batengoo, male (60) from Budroo, male (25) from Kokergund, female (28) from Kaladrung, two females (60, 23) from Matibugh, male (65) from Katapora, female (50) from H S Bugh, male (55) from Howara, male (75) from Yaripora, female (42) from Matibugh, female (32) from Raban, female (11) and two males (15, 18) from Tungdanoo. (GNS)

New Delhi: India recorded 1,27,510 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the lowest in 54 days, pushing the country’s total infections to 2,81,75,044, Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Besides, the country also saw 2,795 deaths due to COVID-19, taking the total number of deaths to 3,31,895.

Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for 19 consecutive days, as 2,55,287 patients recuperated during the past 24 hours, pushing the number of recoveries to 2,59,47,629. With these new recoveries, recovery rate jumped to 92.09 per cent.

Now, active caseload further declines to 18,95,520, below 20 lakh after 43 days, according to the Ministry data.

Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate currently pegged at 8.64 per cent.

Daily positivity rate dipped to 6.62 per cent, less than 10 per cent for eight consecutive days, the Ministry added.

According to India Council of Medical Research, 346792257 tests have been conducted so far, of which, 19,25,374 were carried out in the past 24 hours.

Tamil Nadu registered the highest 27,936 cases, followed by Karnataka with 16,604 cases, Maharashtra with 15,077 cases, Kerala with 12,300 cases and West Bengal with 10,137 cases.

On the vaccination front, a total of 21,60,46,638 doses have been administered since January 16 this year, of which 27,80,058 were administered in the past 24 hours.

On Monday, India had recorded over 1.52 lakh new Covid-19 cases and 3,128 deaths.

‘90% localities record positive cases in 2021’

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, Srinagar, has topped the list of Covid related deaths the district alone witnessed 780 out of 4000 total deaths in Union Territory. The 90 per cent localities of the district also recorded Covid cases in this year, officials said

The total 780 deaths mean that Srinagar has contributed 39 per cent deaths in Kashmir division.

The deaths reported include mostly elderly people and patients having under lying problems, however, among the dead were some young people with no underlying problems as well.

The pandemic devastated many families in Jammu and Kashmir as several have lost their lone bread earners. Figures suggest that 4,000 people died in J&K due to the Covid-19 that includes 2000 from Kashmir region.

“The fatality rate in Srinagar district is 1.18 percent while as overall fatality rate in Kashmir is 1.11 percent,” the figures reveal. “The recovery rate in Srinagar is 92.14 percent while as the overall recovery rate of Kashmir is 86.55 percent. There are 4,348 active cases in Srinagar while as total active cases in the division are 22,034. So far 65,163 persons have tested positive for Covid-19 in Srinagar among them 60,044 have already recovered.”

Srinagar has reported highest deaths in Kashmir division followed by 260 in Baramulla, 179 in Budgam, 169 in Pulwama, 161 in Anantnag, 142, in Kupwara, 102 in Kulgam, 92 in Bandipora, 69 in Ganderbal and 55 in Shopian.

Meanwhile, at least 90 per cent localities in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, have recorded Covid positive cases in the ongoing year 2021.

A top official from the district administration Srinagar said that during the recent spike, the Covid cases have been reported from at least 90 per cent of the localities in Srinagar.

“There are some pockets and some areas where no positive case was reported in 2021. Around 10 per cent of little pockets have not recorded any cases this year,” he said. However, he said the names of all these localities are not available at present.

“As the cases recorded spike in April, the toll of active cases mounted to over eleven thousand,” he said, adding that the tally of active cases due to containment measures taken by the administration has declined to five thousand only.

The top official stated that with the unlock process there is a need to adhere to the guidelines as doing away with the proper SOPs can result in steep rise again.

Pertinently, the district administration Srinagar has declared 96 localities in the district as containment zones where the authorities continued with the lockdown restrictions in order to prevent the virus from spreading. (KNO)

By: Sajidah Yousuf

Srinagar: The government on Monday said that there was no proposal of procuring any new imported vaccines here except Sputnik-V as the Government of India (GoI) has not given a nod for it.

Advisor to Governor for Health and Medical Education, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said that the government is about to complete the vaccination process of the age group of above 45-years-old.

Bhatnagar said, “We are in process to procure more vaccines. The GoI has now approved a new vaccine, it is about to reach here. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has already placed the order for that.”

He said that the vaccines that were approved here till now like Covishield and Covaxin, both the vaccines are being administered to the people of the age group of 18-45.

“Vaccination process is going on and the government has also started the vaccination for the age group of 18-45 and as far as the vaccination process of the people of above 45 years of age, the vaccination process is about to complete,” Bhatnagar said.

On asking about the procurement of imported vaccines for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the advisor said that as of now only Sputnik-V vaccine has been approved by the Government of India (GoI).

He said, “As it is seen everything is being done to tackle the situation, cases are also coming down, we have sufficient beds, oxygen supply right from the village level to the Panchayat level and COVID-19 care centres with five beds at every stage.”

Bhatnagar said that the relaxation in the lockdown is as per norms and the public needs to follow the recommended COVID-19 protocols.

“We are also expanding our services to our capacity to contain the spread of virus on a daily basis and testing of the symptomatic persons is also being carried out rapidly,” he said.

When asked about the procurement of further lifesaving equipment, Bhatnagar said, “Upgrading the infrastructure and lifesaving equipment’s is a routine exercise. We have sufficient quantity of ventilators and we are expanding all facilities in easing the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds.” (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday directed private laboratories not to charge more than Rs 400 for RT-PCR Test for COVID-19 in the Union Territory.

In this regard an order was issued here by the Department of Health and Medical Education which stated that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (3 of 1897) and in partial modification of notification S.0 337 dated 29^th October, 2020, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir hereby directs that no private laboratory shall charge any amount more than Rs. 400/(Rupees Four Hundred Only) for RT-PCR Test for COVID-19 inclusive of GST/Taxes if any, cost involved in pickup, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Tuesday called for 100 percent utilization of Covid- management resources across all districts in Kashmir.

Div Com said this while chairing a weekly Covid-19 review meeting. The meeting among others was attended by Director SKIMS Soura, all Deputy Commissioners, CMOs through video conferencing, Mission Director NHM, GM DICs, Incharge  Isolation, DD Health, CMOs, Nodal Officer, Incharge CCRK and other also present in the meeting.

At the outset, Div Com impressed upon making proper utilization of Covid management resources for containment of spread of virus and better mitigation.

He said that bed capacity should be put to use even at panchayat level. All facilities including ventilators at all health facilities are made functional for patient care.

Div Com said facilities created for testing including RAT and RTPCR and vaccination should also be put in use in full capacity and putting these facilities in proper use shall enable to not only achieve progress in the vaccination but also help in bringing down the death rate in the valley.

Stating that the positivity rate was still above 5 percent in most of the districts,  DCs  were instructed to focus on Covid management instead of economical activities during the unless cases down to the comfortable level gradual the gradual unlock period in their districts.

Div Com emphasized on proper covid mitigation to bring down the positivity rate by to below 5 percent by next week and below 2 percent in a month.

Stressing on putting up all required facilities at artificial testing labs, Directed SKIMS was instructed to ensure recruitment of lab assistants and data entry operators on a fast track basis.

At the outset, MD NHM, deliberated on the progress made in the daily Testing, contact tracing , vaccination, positivity and recovery rate, random sampling and increase in red zone areas.

Div Com emphasized on proper monitoring of home isolation patients, increase in vaccination of all including employees and submitting certificates to respective DDOs, furnishing of reports on covid packages, audit reports of fire and exigency of designates properties and timely rebuttal and correction of rumours spread on social media.

Srinagar: A day after the government eased lockdown restrictions, Jammu and Kashmir police continued to act tough against the norm violations in the Valley with spokesman claiming to have arrested 182 persons in the last 24 hours.

Notably, the markets were closed again today as the government in its latest directions has allowed the business units to work only three days in a week including Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

All the markets, shops and other business units remained closed today while the public transport with 50 per cent seating capacity were functioning normally.

However, a police spokesman said that during the last 24 hours, police have arrested 182 persons, lodged 89 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,33,840 from 1181 people throughout the Kashmir valley for violating the various guidelines, rules and SOPs regarding Covid-19.

“The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by the government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.”

Meanwhile, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for their own safety and for the safety of others. “The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said. (KNO)