By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: For the first time in the last nearly one month, Jammu and Kashmir reported a major dip in the number of covid-19 cases as 2237 persons were confirmed to have contracted the infection in the last 24 hours while 45 more people succumbed to the pestilence during the time, officials said on Monday.

It was after 28 days that J&K reported around 2200 cases as 2135 infections were reported on April 26.

Among the fresh cases, the officials said that 854 were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1383 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 272858.

Regarding the deaths, they said, 29 were reported from Jammu Division and 16 from Kashmir  Valley, taking fatality count past 3600-mark— 3609 to be exact— 1732 in Jammu and 1877 in Kashmir.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 309 cases, Baramulla 103, Budgam 221, Pulwama 77, Kupwara 204, Anantnag 106, Bandipora 77, Ganderbal 91, Kulgam 169, Shopian 26, Jammu 441, Udhampur 55, Rajouri 66, Doda 43, Kathua 49, Samba 31, Kishtwar 47, Poonch 27, Ramban 47and Reasi 48.

Moreover, they said, 3999 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—1490 from Jammu Division and 2509 from the Valley. There are 45630 active positive cases—18738 in Jammu and 26892 in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.

The CD cases include female (40) from Chattabal, female (29) from Sangran, female (26) from Chaterwach, female (40) and male (12) from Bongam, female (24) from Saidpora Bala, female (30) from Sugan, male (40) from Heff Khuri, female (38) and male (39) from Niklora, female (40) from Aripora, female (32) from Reban, male (45) from Aglar, female (21) from Chitragam, male (25) from Safanagri, female (35) from Wachi, male (34) from Homehuna, male (30) from Niloora, female (43) from Munad, male (24) from Babapora, male (65) from Nowshera, male (26) from Wantapora, female (40) from Zoonimar, two males (42, 09) and female (40) from Eidgah, male (55) and two females (26, 30) from Zoonimar, male (55) from Nowshera, male (Na) from Eidgah, male (55) from Hawal, male (23) and two females (75, 45) from Lal Bazar, female (30) and male (12) from Lal Bazar, male (Na) from Nowshera, female (48) from Buchpora, female (40) from Umer Colony, male (39) from Khanyar, male (24) from Ahmadabad, male (40) from Saderbal, two males (26, 30) from Mandibal, female (45) from Ahmadnagar, two females (35, 32) from Gund Achan Pul, five males (58, 32, 45, 26, 38) and two females (35, 26) from Panzgam Pul, male (06) from Reshipora Pul, two males (60, 51) from Aditragh Rajpora, female (30) from Bagh Sangerwani, male (35) from Khaigam Pul, male (40) from Nazneenpora Shpn, male (35) from Pachhar Pul, male (38) from Dadoora Pul, female (22) from Ayangund Pul, female (17) and male (80) from Sheerbagh Pul, two females (55, 35) and male (33) from Chandgam Pul, female (30) from Dairoo Pul, female (21) from Rahmoo Pul, male (34) from Uzrampathri, two males (21, 17) from Gabarpora Pul, male (32) from Daramdora Pul, female (34) from C B Nath, female (26) from Ganjipora, male (37) and female (38) from Kadalbal Pampore, male (23) from Wuyan, female (27) from Balhama, female (45) from Zaffron Colony, female (31) from Khadermoh, female (32) from Befina Pul, male (40) from Noorbagh, female (70) from HMT, female (50) from Fatehkadal, male (46) from Bala Buchoo, male (49) from Dadasara, two males (52, 56) and two females (55, 25) from Chersoo, female (37) from Nowpora, two males (65, 28) and three females (29, 21, 28) from Buchoo, two females (45, 35) from Saimoh, female (23) from Rathsuna, female (60) from Shikargah, female (30) from Pinglish, male (36) and female (60) from Amlar, two males (20, 60) and female (60) from Hatipora, male (45) from Babapora, male (60) from Reban, female (44) from Shopian, male (35) from Keller, two females (50, 30) from Khanyar, female (65) from Shalteng, male (42) from Batmaloo, male (55) from Habba Kadal, female (50) from Aalikadal, male (26) from Dajbug, male (32) from Chattabal, male (55) from Bemina, male (05) from Lal Bazar, female (75) from Pandach, female (53) from Mallabagh, female (65) from Alastang, male (18) from Shopian, male (59) from Tral E Payeen, female (19) from Tarabal Srg, male (22) from Kaka Sarai, male (63) from Khanyar, male (35) from Budgam, male (27) from Palpora, female (28) and male (56) from Srg and female (54) from Nishat.

The GMC Anantnag cases include include male (29) from Bhan Kulgam, male (45) from Shirpora, male (28) from Hassanpora Ang, male (28) from Berigam Kulgam, male (28) from Ganoora, female (60) from Bijbehara, male (63) and female (56) from Anchidora, male (33) from Shelipora, male (65) from Semthan Bij, male (27) from Litter Pul, female (26) from Baba Mohalla Bij, female (62) from Vaid Mohalla Bij, female (16) from Sirgufwara, male (28) and two females (28, 25) from Zaihpora Shpn, male (30) from Wanghama, female (30) from Semthan Bij, female (65) from Bus Stand Ang, male (58) from Auder Guree, two males (29, 28) from Joibal Veeri, male (35) from Veeri, male (56) from Joibal Veeri, female (55) from Veeri, male (33) from Soaf, male (55) from Irkumoo, male (37) from Ahllan, male (23) from Watnard, male (37) from Zalangam, male (47) from Bidder, male (77) from Pazipora, male (33) from Soaf, male (49) from Adigam, male (23) from Soaf, male (16) from Nagam, male (48) from Kokernag, male (49) from Watnard, male (32) from Zalangam, male (60) and female (26) from Ahlan, male (55) from Ahlan Payeen, two males (35, 50) from Ahlan, male (45) from Drugmulla Ahlan, two males (35, 25) from Ahlan, two males (25, 46) from Furmoo Gadole, male (28) from Loharsenzi, male (24) from Gadole, male (40) from Sagam, male (42) from Bidhard, female (43) from Drabihal, male (42) from Dehruna, female (45) from Sadoora, female (57) from Naidpora, female (50) from Shankerpora, male (35) from Lukhbhwan, male (36) from Sadoora, female (15) from Fatehpora, female (32) from Dooru, female (33) from Kreeri, female (38) from Dooru Sehpora, female (34) from Bagwanpora Verinag, male (26) from Hiller Shahabad, female (47) from Kreeri, male (35) from KP Road, male (65) from Gulshan Abad, male (30) from Nai Basti, male (57) from Gopalpora, two females (54, 50) and three males (25, 41, 35) from Gutligund, male (45) from Batpora Khanabal, male (22) from Achabal Adda, female (30) from Mir Danter, male (25) from Nai Basti, male (35) from Nandpora, female (45) from Qazibagh, male (27) from Adhal, male (30) from Nabal Arwani, male (29) from Sadiqabad, female (30) from Cheeri Pora, male (40) from Lazibal, male (24) from Ruh Ang, four males (26, 35, 23, 42) and female (38) from Parigam, male (45) and two females (40, 12) from Arreh, seven males (12, 32, 23, 35, 65, 28, 25) from Parigam, male (30) from Behbarad, female (23) from Noonmai, female (29) from Badroo, male (47) from Akhran, female (18) and two males (25, 24) from Chowgam, male (29) from Devsar, two females (45, 14) from Dalwatch, female (36) from Sangam, male (54) and two females (38, 15) from Chowgam, female (48) from P/S Qazigund, male (50) from Nipora, two females (38, 12) from Chowgam, male (35) from Iqbalabad Pehroo Ang, female (65) from Mattan, fifteen males (31, 43, 40, 35, 13, 27, 11, 14, 23, 36, 22, 25, 20, 10, 22) and seven females (40, 12, 45,55, 40, 19, 15)  from Ahlen, two females (28, 12) from Ahlan Bala, female (23) from Anantnag, male (54) and two females (38, 13) from Naidpora, male (22) from D.M. Pora, female (22) from Hakura, male (20) from Khoshipora, female (27) from Bothnoo, male (46) from Kokernag, male (32) from Qammer and male (72) from Halsidar. (GNS)

New Delhi:  India reported 2,22,315 new cases of the Novel Coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the lowest since April 16 last month, taking the infection tally to 2,67,52,447, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

India’s COVID-19 death toll crossed the grim milestone of 3 lakh-mark, as the country also saw 4,454 more fatalities due to the virus, pushing the toll to 3,03,720. Now, India has become the third country in the world after the US and Brazil to traverse the grim milestone. On Sunday, the country recorded 3,741 deaths. The case fatality rate stands at 1.14 per cent.

On April 16, the country saw 2,17,353 cases.

With 3,02,544 recoveries recorded in the last 24 hours, India’s daily recoveries outnumbered the new Covid cases for the eleventh consecutive day. On Sunday, India reported 3,55,102 recoveries.

The active caseload in the country is 27,20,716 comprising 10.17 per cent of the total infections while 2,37,28,011 people have recovered from disease so far, amounting 88.69 per cent of the recovery rate.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 33,05,36,064 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus, of which 19,28,127 tests were conducted in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, total 19,60,51,962 people have been vaccinated across the country till now, of which 9,42,722 doses administered in the past 24 hours.

Maharashtra, which has been the most-affected state in the country, saw highest 1,320 deaths in the past 24 hours, followed by Karnataka (624), Tamil Nadu (422 ), UP (231), Punjab (192), Delhi (189), Kerala (188), West Bengal (156), Bihar (107), and Andhra Pradesh (104).

In term of cases, Tamil Nadu continues to report highest cases, as 35,483 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka with 26,672 and 25,979 cases, respectively.

On Sunday, India had registered 2,40,842 Covid-19 cases. (UNI)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government declared black fungus as an epidemic on Monday under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.

The decision followed a directive from the union government in which it had asked the UT administration to make black fungus a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

On Friday, a 40-year old patient with confirmed black fungus infection died in a government medical college hospital in Jammu.

Another suspected patient is being treated at the government dental college in Srinagar while doctors have confirmed that a black fungus patient was successfully treated in November 2020 by the doctors at the dental college.

Jammu: The rollout of special vaccination drives for high risk and vulnerable groups within the 18-45 age category was on Monday finalized during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam.

Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Housing & Urban Development, Information, Transport, Labour & Employment, Jal Shakti, Social Welfare, Higher Education, Tourism and Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, besides Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) and Director, Family Welfare participated in the meeting.

To implement the decision taken by the Government for prioritized coverage of high risk and vulnerable groups under 18-45 age category, it was decided that the special vaccination drives will initially be kick-started in 8 districts having the highest disease caseload and positivity ratio and will be extended to all the districts once the supply of vaccines increases. The rollout will begin in Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and Srinagar districts of Kashmir, and Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri and Udhampur districts of Jammu.

It was further informed that the target groups have been identified considering their risk assessment and vulnerability to the disease. It was directed that as a part of the special vaccination drive, additional dedicated vaccination centres are established for centralized and fast-tracked coverage of all identified beneficiaries after proper verification.

The Chief Secretary directed the Law Department to organize 2-days special vaccination drives at High Court complexes and District Courts to vaccinate all lawyers. The Information Department was directed to organize similar vaccination drives for journalists at twin Directorates of Jammu and Kashmir, while the Tourism Department was asked to hold such drives at concerned district offices to cover stakeholders associated with the tourism industry.

The Transport Department was asked to hold the drives for truck/bus/taxi/autorikshaw drivers at respective RTO/ARTO offices; while the Higher Education Department will coordinate vaccination of teaching/non-teaching faculty at campuses.

Similarly, the departments of Labour and Housing & Urban Development were directed to organize centralized vaccination drives at suitable places to cover all construction workers, and shopkeepers/vendors/dhaba workers, respectively.

For the target group comprising Government employees on COVID duty/or in active field offices- viz employees of PHE, PDD; people with disabilities (PwD); widows/single mothers; orphans; and persons with co-morbid conditions, the concerned Deputy Commissioners were directed to mobilize identified beneficiaries towards existing vaccination centres on priority.

The Information Department in coordination with Administrative Secretaries and district administrations was asked to widely publicize the schedule of vaccination drives to ensure maximum participation of the beneficiaries.

Srinagar: Railway authorities on Monday extended till May 31 the suspension of train services from Banihal to Baramulla and vice versa.

Official sources said that Railway authorities have taken the decision on the request by the J&K administration and have subsequently in formed the field agencies about it.

On May 10, the authorities suspended the services In view of the covid-19 situation in Kashmir Valley and as per the guidelines and SOPs issued by the government.

The decision had followed huge rush of passengers at stations amid continuing increase in the number Covid cases. (GNS)

Srinagar: Normal life remained affected in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday for the 26th consecutive day due to lockdown in the wake of the continuing surge in covid-19cases, officials said.

Police and paramilitary forces kept barricades on roads at many places in Srinagar as well as in other district headquarters of the Valley and the Jammu region to prevent the movement of people. However, essential and emergency services are allowed, the officials added.

Most of the shops, and other business establishments remained shut while public transport was off the roads.

In view of the alarming surge in daily cases across the Kashmir Valley, Police said to have enhanced the efforts to implement the Covid-19 guidelines, SOPs and restrictions strictly throughout the valley.

“During the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 184 persons, lodged 94 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,41,840 from 910 people for violating the guidelines/rules throughout Kashmir valley,” a police spokesman said, adding, “Besides, 44 vehicles were also seized in Shopian for violating guidelines/restrictions.”

On April 29, the administration imposed a curfew in 11 districts in a bid to arrest the surge in Covid-19 cases, which has been since extended to all the 20 districts till 7 am on May 31.

“The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs/ guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokesman said, adding, “Community members are once again requested to cooperate with the Police in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs/ guidelines/ protocols for the safety of the people. The special drive shall remain continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures.” (GNS)

By: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: Amid second wave of global pandemic novel coronavirus in Kashmir, the need for the oxygen has risen to higher level, after most of patients were admitted in the hospitals for the life support.

According a local news gathering agency, so far the LG led administration in Kashmir have augmented around 23,375 LPM medical oxygen and is further planning to boost the availability of medical oxygen by furthermore 11,375 LPM by the month of July this year, taking the medical oxygen availability to around 34,750 LPM in the valley.

According to the research and official figures reveals that after the second wave hit the valley, the augmentation of new oxygen generation plants was started on war footing. Four units of 1000 LPM were installed at SMHS hospital taking its total oxygen generating capacity to 5600 LPM, making it valley’s highest oxygen generating hospital, with its earlier capacity of just 1600 LPM only.

The Chest Disease Hospital in Srinagar, which is running on 900 LPM oxygen generation capacity, would be enhanced with 1500 LPM oxygen generation unit, taking the total oxygen generation capacity to 2400 LPM.

In JLNM Hospital a total of 2625 LPM oxygen has been added with earlier capacity of just 300LPM, while as in Super Specialty hospital, which is currently running on 800 LPM oxygen generation would be further enhanced by 1000 LPM, while as in LD hospital, 625 LPM oxygen unit has been installed with earlier stationed oxygen unit of 1300 LPM.

In Bone and Joint hospital a single oxygen generating unit of 625 LPM has been installed with 300 LPM oxygen unit already stationed at the hospital, while as in Kashmir Nursing Home, 1000 LPM has been installed with oxygen generation unit.

In GMC Baramulla, 1000LPM has been added with earlier capacity of 600 LPM, in GMC Anantnag total of 2000 LPM have been added with earlier oxygen availability of 300 LPM, in district hospital Pulwama 1000 LPM oxygen has been added with earlier availability of 300 LPM.

In district Kulgam oxygen unit of 1000 LPM has been added with already stationed 300 LPM nonfunctional oxygen generating unit, in district hospital Shopian oxygen unit of 1000 LPM has been added. In Trauma Centre Bijbehra 500 LPM unit has been added, in district Hospital Ganderbal oxygen unit of 1000 LPM has been added, in Critical Health Centre Chanapora an oxygen unit of 500 LPM has been added while as in critical health centre Kupwara, sub-district hospital Sopore and district hospital Bandipora has got 1000 LPM oxygen generating units each.

According to the Mechanical Engineering Department, a total order of 37 oxygen plants have been placed, of which 21 have been received, and installed. And by the month of July this year, the department is expecting to receive remaining oxygen plants. (KNO)

Srinagar: Persons having comorbidities including obesity, hypertension, diabetes can increase their survival chances by taking precautions and adopting covid related guidelines perfectly and strictly, said Dr Shariq Masoodi, Endocrinologist, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar.

Endocrinologist, Dr Shariq Masoodi while putting forth his views on the pandemic said that Covid infection is now common among people and majority of the patients recover immediately in home isolation. However, he said that less than two percent of the covid infected patients develop serious complications owing to underlying comorbidities like age factor, obesity, blood sugar, hypertension, cancer or any other disease and some of them may succumb to the infection. Such patients may need critical care including oxygen supply, ventilation and hospitalization.

He maintained that older a person is, more are the chances of getting complicated condition during covid infection.

He also said that vaccination is very important for the people living with any comorbidity and further added that vaccine rarely causes adverse effects.

“Individuals already suffering from any disease should get vaccinated because it will protect them from  further complications in case of getting a covid infection”, he stated.

Dr Shariq said that most of the patients recover at home but it is imperative to monitor pluse rate and oxygen saturation of covid patients with underlying comorbidity disease  at home. “If a person has tendency of sugar and has obesity then  monitor his sugar level, too”, he said while advising about the supervision if patients in home.

He said that steroids including dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and  prednisone  are used to treat severe covid patients admitted in the hospitals. While cautioning about self medication he said, “Steroid is not treatment for everyone because it increases sugar in the body”. These medicines are used only for those patients whose oxygen saturation has decreased and have been admitted in the hospital, he clarified. Only physicians shall prescribe steroids when the need arises, he added.

While reiterating that asymptomatic or mild covid infected persons don’t need  steroids because it will affect their health adversely by increasing sugar which may  ultimately pose threat of other  health issues such as Black fungus or White fungus and Mocurmycosis.

Further, Dr Shariq Masiodi while providing more information said Cytotoxic immunity and acquired immunity of  body helps to fight against fungus infections but prolonged use of steroids decrease these immunities in a person. “Increase in sugar level reduces oxygen saturation in the body which increases acidosis, formation of acids in à body”, he said.

Regarding the measures to control sugar  level, he said there are two types of measures including pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical. “Non pharmaceutical methods involve change in diet and life style”, he said.

He said that during the lockdown physical activity has decreased so energy required is minimum and  advised to take proteins, vitamin, minerals, fibre and  antioxidant rich food and reduce intake of carbohydrates. He suggested limiting the intake of carbohydrates to 175 gm in 24 hours and exercise frequently.

While providing additional information regarding carbohydrates, he said, there are two types of carbohydrates including complex and refined. The complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly while refined carbohydrates are absorbed quickly. He stressed to reduce intake of refined carbohydrates such as rice, wheat, bread etc to keep sugar in control.