Precious Kashmir

Death of a school teacher due to Covid-19

Jammu & Kashmir

17/05/2021

Police register case against School Management

Jammu: After the death of a teacher at a Private School in Jammu due to Covid-19, Police have registered a formal case against the School Management for violating the government guidelines and keep the school functional even during the period of lockdown.

The school in question is Saint Mary Presentation Convent Secondary School located in Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu.

A Police Officer from Gandhi Nagar Police Station told News Agency Kashmir News Trust that one of the teachers at St. Mary School had died due to Covid-19 while the inquiry conducted by the Executive Magistrate found the school management responsible for violating Covid-19 related SOPs.

“We have lodged an FIR vide number 154/2021 under section 188/269/270/506 IPC, 3 Epidemic diseases act 1897 and 51 disaster management Act 2005 against the Principal and Vice Principal of the school,” the police officer told KNT.

Dr Farooq, Omar condole demise of Mamata’s brother due to COVID-19

City

United News Of India

17/05/2021

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah on Sunday condoled the death of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother due to COVID-19.

Ms Banerjee’s brother Ashim Banerjee died at a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday battling COVID-19.

In their condolence message, the former chief ministers of J&K expressed solidarity with the grief-stricken family, particularly Mamata Banerjee.

“The duo prayed for forbearance to the bereaved family particularly Mamata to bear the inconsolable loss. They also prayed for eternal repose of the departed soul,” an NC spokesperson said on Sunday.

Apni Party concerned over appalling conditions at SDH Tral

City

Precious Kashmir

17/05/2021

Srinagar: Former Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir on Sunday conveyed his serious concerns over the deteriorating conditions at Sub-District Hospital Tral in relation to the current Covid-19 crisis.

While issuing a statement here, Ghulam Hassan Mir said that multiple SOS calls have been received by him wherein the suffering families of Covid patients have complained about the chaotic conditions prevailing at Sub-District Hospital in Tral.

“The condition at SDH Tral remains deplorable. The medical coordination with the ailing patients is faulty while as the patient inflow is on an exponential increase. There is scarce of beds, oxygen and life-saving drugs and the family members are kept on vacillating. The situation on ground continues to remain grim and may go from bad to worse if the administration doesn’t provide a serious consideration to this matter of grave concern,” he remarked.

Furthermore, he appealed to the administration to take an immediate cognizance of the situation at SDH Tral and dispatch requisite medical supplies along with oxygen supplies to ground zero.

“The government must ensure that an ample supply of life saving drugs and Oxygen is maintained at SDH Tral besides guaranteeing that sooner the number of available beds will be further augmented, so that the people have to face no inconvenience during these trying times,” he urged. (KNT)

Director Health visits Trauma Hospital Bijbehara

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

17/05/2021

Srinagar: Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Sunday visited Trauma Hospital Bijbehara and took stock of health care facilities.

A spokesperson of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir said that the director visited the trauma hospital where 43 Covid patients are admitted.

The director took stock of the Covid-19 situation and said that all the facilities are available at the hospital.

The spokesman said the director along with hospital’s Medical Superintendent visited the hospital’s oxygen plant having capacity of 500 Lpm. He said the hospital has good quantity of oxygen cylinders and concentrators.

The hospital apart from proving Covid services also provides Covid services for pregnant women.

“Since the oxygen facility was started it has proved to be helpful for patients especially for severe Covid patients needing oxygen support,” the director said.

He said the hospital has kept oxygen cylinder’s available in bulk so that patients do not suffer.

“The next oxygen plant would be made functional within days. We wanted to see how this hospital is running,” he said.

The director during the inspection interacted with patients and healthcare staff on duty. He appreciated the role of health care workers.

“We are committed to provide treatment to the patients. We will continue to provide quality healthcare services until this pandemic is over,” the director said.

Div Com inspects progress of work on 3000 LPM oxygen generation plant at SMGS hospital

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

17/05/2021

Directs for augmenting bed capacity for pediatrics Covid patients

JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer on Sunday visited Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital and inspected the progress on the under construction oxygen generation plant.

He was accompanied by Chief Engineer JPDCL, Superintendent Engineer, MED, Superintendent Engineer PWD, Medical Superintendent SMGS, Deputy Medical Superintendent SMGS and other concerned officers.

The Divisional Commissioner took a round of various sections of the hospital including the sites of Oxygen Generation Plant with Manifold system and under construction 250-bedded block, etc.

At the Oxygen Generation plant, the concerned Engineers briefed the Div about the work completed so far and ongoing works and expected date of completion of 3000 LPM Oxygen Generation Plant. It was informed that the work was in progress on the Plant Room and flooring work has been completed. The Divisional Commissioner directed the PWD to expedite the pace of work and ensure completion of Plant Room at the earliest. He also directed the MED to start the work on installation of the Oxygen Generation Plant at the earliest.

Responding to the need for shut down for shifting of electric poles, the Div Com directed the engineers of JPDCL and hospital authorities to conduct a joint survey and find out the power back up/ alternate source of power so that the power supply to the hospital is not affected. He also passed directions to JPDCL to install an independent transformer for the upcoming Oxygen Generation Plant and keep power set up ready before its functioning.

The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned executing agencies to work in close coordination and expedite the pace of work for early commissioning of the Plant.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the functioning of the already installed 500 LPM Oxygen Generation Plant and manifold system.

The hospital authorities apprised the Div Com about the requirement of oxygen pipeline. The Div Com directed the engineers of MED to expedite the work on installation of Medical Gas pipelines in the wards to augment the bed capacity with ventilators and oxygen supported beds.

Later, the Divisional Commissioner chaired a meeting with HoD Pediatrics & HoD Gynae/Obs and reviewed the Covid management in the hospital.

Referring to possible third covid wave, which according to experts may affect the younger generation, the Div Com directed the SMGS authorities to gear up to deal with the situation.

The hospital authorities informed that ward 7 and 8 with capacity of 53 beds have been dedicated for Covid patients who are being referred from triage points, while the ward no 19 of the hospital with 46 bed capacity has already been identified to reserve for Pediatric Covid patients. It was further informed that the hospital management can augment it with 140 additional beds if requirement is felt.

The Div Com also inquired about the availability of ventilators and was informed that the hospital has 4 ICU wards with 16 ventilators.

It was informed that presently the Pediatric covid patients are being treated at MCH Gandhi Nagar hospital.

The Divisional Commissioner instructed the concerned to share requirements if any and focus on strengthening of Pediatric Covid care in SMGS.

Nadal beats Djokovic for 10th Rome Open title

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

17/05/2021

Rome: World No. 3 Spaniard Rafael Nadal on Sunday won his 10th Italian Open title, after overcoming a second set comeback from No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final to triumph 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 in two hours and 50 minutes.

The victory gave second seeded Nadal the 36th ATP Masters 1000 crown, equalling top seeded Djokovic’s all-time record, since the series was established in 1990.

In the 57th meeting of the ATP Tour’s one of the most prolific rivalries, Djokovic was facing second seed Nadal, winner of 20 Grand Slam singles title winner, for the ninth time at the Foro Italico.

Nadal improved to 4-2 in Rome finals against Djokovic with the victory, and brought his ATP head-to-head record against the Serbian to 28-29 overall.

In the men’s doubles final, second-seeded Croats Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic powered their way to their sixth Italian Open trophy, overcoming a tough challenge from fifth-seeded Rajeev Ram of the USA and Briton Joe Salisbury and winning the final 6-4, 7-6(4).

Djokovic had spent nearly five hours on court on Saturday, first winning his rain-delayed quarter-final against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and then the semi-final epic against Italian Lorenzo Sonego, to reach the final.

Nadal, on the other hand, needed an hour-and-a-half-to take down Reilly Opelka of the USA.

Djokovic, who was bidding to record his first win on clay against the Spaniard since the 2016 Rome quarter-finals, showed little signs of fatigue in the opening set.

The Serbian raced to a 2-0 lead, staying aggressive and keeping the points short. But Nadal broke straight back, and his forehand speed steadily climbed as the set unfolded, earning 15 of his 21 winners.

Nadal claimed the decisive break late in the set, taking advantage of a shaky service game of the Serbian at 5-5 to claim the lead, sealing the set.

But a dip in Nadal’s intensity gave Djokovic the opening he needed in the second set.

However, the Spaniard held firm and raised his level in the final set, reeling out forehand winners to take a 4-2 lead. He converted his second championship point after Djokovic sent a backhand long, sealing the victory.

India urges Israel, Palestine to exercise ‘extreme restraint’

National

United News Of India

17/05/2021

New Delhi: India on Sunday said immediate de-escalation between Israel and Palestine is the need of the hour and urged both sides to show extreme restraint, desist from actions that exacerbate tensions, and refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status-quo.

Over the past 7 days, armed conflict between Israel and the Hamas-led militant groups have kept flaring up, marking the fiercest fighting between the two sides since 2014 that has killed more than 174 Palestinians and nearly 10 Israelis.

“Immediate de-escalation is the need of the hour, so as to arrest any further slide towards the brink,” Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, T S Tirumurti said at the Open Debate on Middle East.

Mr Tirumurti reiterated India’s strong support to ‘just’ Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to the two-State solution.

He said that the indiscriminate rocket firings from Gaza targeting the civilian population in Israel, which India condemns, and the retaliatory strikes into Gaza, have caused immense suffering and resulted in deaths, including women and children.

“India has also lost one of her nationals living in Israel in this rocket fire – a caregiver in Ashkelon. We deeply mourn her demise along with all other civilians who have lost their lives in the current cycle of violence,” the Ambassador averred adding that India condemns all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction.

A 30-year-old Indian woman, hailing from Idukki in Kerala, was killed in a rocket attack by a Palestinian Islamist group on Tuesday.

Covid Warriors Value Duty Over Life

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

16/05/2021

Covid-19 has been spreading like wildfire and caught everybody including those supposed to be responsive unawares. More than 50000 cases were added to Jammu and Kashmir’s burgeoning tally in the fortnight days while nearly around one thousand people were claimed as victims by the ravaging virus during the time. The situation everywhere is gloomy. Amid all this, warriors including doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers continue to be at the forefront of the fight against the virus.

Since the first case of novel coronavirus infection in Jammu and Kashmir was reported in March last year, these healthcare workers have been discharging their duties untiringly. And at times, unfortunately, they even had to bear abuses and violence in the line of duty. Without much complaint, they endured the fear of stigma and isolation and carried on with their work. Unfortunately, a number of doctors and other healthcare workers lost their life in the line of duty. Most of the doctors and other healthcare workers have placed the patients at the centre of their attention and choice. Some who lost the battle for life after contracting the virus were mobilising all layers of leadership about the realities of the pandemic, raising awareness of its potentially devastating impact and the need for immediate action in order to save lives. Their role remains crucial and it has remained so throughout the response. They continue to serve at the front lines. At the outset of the pandemic, doctors warned of the potential implications of the virus. As the virus spread, many doctors provided treatment for a disease they little understood, while others contributed to accelerated research on potential treatments and vaccines.

Everyone must express gratitude towards all the doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers for making untiring efforts in the fight against the pandemic and rendering continuous services day and night.

They are an inspiration for all and continue to serve the people. Their dedication, courage, and patience remains to be praise worthy. With their support, the people can effectively control the spread of Coronavirus in the J&K. However it is imperative to understand that a fight can be only won when there is a united fight against it.

At the same time, it is imperative that safety of the healthcare workers is always maintained. Apart from PPE kits, other practical measures must be considered including family and psychological support. The healthcare workers are every nation’s most valuable resource and their protection must be the priority.

These poor covid warriors spend sleepless nights to make patients breathe

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

16/05/2021

These poor covid warriors spend sleepless nights to make patients breathe

Four MED officials made 1000 LPM oxygen plant functional overnight, DC describes them unsung heroes

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: For authorities and people, doctors and other health workers are the only warriors in times of pandemic but the other real heroes who spend sleepless nights to ensure disruption free oxygen to the COVID patients are neither known to the people nor appreciated by the authorities. These heroes are the officials of the Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) and its hired low paid workers.

On Saturday when videos of some covid patients at GMC Anantnag gasping for breath due to the shortage of high flow oxygen went viral, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Piyush Singla summoned both the GMC authorities and officials of the MED.

In the meeting, DC instructed the officials to ensure that the patients get uninterrupted high flow oxygen in the hospital and that there should be no shortage of oxygen cylinders. Since getting the cylinders available with GMC refilled on priority was very much in the competence of the DC himself, he spoke to all the refilling agencies and directed them to prioritise GMC Anantnag for being the line tertiary care facility in the southern region.

However, how the high flow oxygen supply to the covid beds can be ensured immediately and without any interruption was his worry. But four MED people including a Junior Engineer (JE), two low paid workers and two welders made it happen overnight.

Hospital sources said that these MED officials worked whole night to ensure that another oxygen supplying plant in the hospital is made functional by morning.

“They spent the entire night fixing the plant and connecting beds with the same. By another morning, the hospital had one more oxygen plant of the capacity of 1000 LPM functional thus solving the major crisis,” they said.

Besides a JE and four other workers of the MED who work in shifts, have to round-the-clock look after all the three oxygen plants having the capacity of 1000, 1000 and 300 LPM.

DC Anantnag shared a photo of MED official busy fixing the oxygen pipes at GMC Anantnag with the title ‘Unsung heroes’.

Nonetheless, on another morning, both GMC Anantnag Principal and DC Anantnag claimed that they have enough oxygen available and that there is no shortage.

“No doubt DC put up all his efforts to get one more oxygen plant in the GMC functional but all his efforts bore the fruit only after these MED officials worked every second during the night. These people have been spending most of the nights out of their homes since the second wave of pandemic,” a top official of MED said.

These workers, the official said, work against Rs 5000 a month, which is grave injustice with them.

“Contribution of health workers is something that everyone accepts. But the contribution of these real heroes is not known to anyone. That is not either being appreciated by the authorities,” the official said.

A doctor posted at GMC Anantnag described these MED people as real covid warriors saying, “Their contribution in fighting the pandemic cannot be ignored.”

One of the MED officials who ensured the functioning of the oxygen plant at GMC Anantnag overnight said that for last nearly one month, day and night is one and same thing for him.

“It is like fighting a war at a time when the enemy has already set in with all the might. We are not doing any favor to people but it pains when our contribution is being ignored,” the middle rung official said.

63 die of COVID-19, 3677 test positive in J&K

Front

Nadeem Nadu

16/05/2021

63 die of COVID-19, 3677 test positive in J&K

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 3677 fresh covid-19 cases even as 63 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Saturday.

They said that 1728 of these cases were reported from Jammu Division and 1949 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 240467.

Regarding the fatalities, they said, 37 deaths were reported from Jammu Division and 26 from the Valley, taking the overall death toll to 3090.

Providing district wise details of the infections, the officials said that Srinagar reported 404 cases, Baramulla 129, Budgam 262, Pulwama 390, Kupwara 110, Anantnag 188, Bandipora 147, Ganderbal 80, Kulgam 160, Shopian 79, Jammu 621, Udhampur 163, Rajouri 250, Doda 46, Kathua 137, Samba 145, Kishtwar 34, Poonch 102, Ramban 108 and Reasi 122.

Moreover, they said, 4140 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, 1086 from Jammu Division and 3054 from Kashmir Valley. There are 51475 active positive cases, 19960 in Jammu and 31515 in Kashmir.

The number of fresh cases were confirmed at CD hospital and GMC Anantnag, they said.

The CD cases include female (42) and two males (40, 12) from Chersoo, three males (34, 32, 75) and three females (40, 54, 40) from Noorpora, male (50) and two females (75, 12) from Buchoo, male (59) from Chandrigam, four males (22, 24, 48, 19) and female (45) from Amlar, female (28) from Tral, male (28) from Buchoo Bala, female (40) from Tral e Payeen, male (70) and female (45) from Gulshanpora, male (27) from Lurgam, female (20) from Luraw, two males (35, 15) from Tral, male (13) from Aripal, two females (38, 30) and male (06) from Khahgund, two females (40, 18) and male (14) from Sofigund, female (45) from Barzulla, male (50) from Noorbagh, male (20) from Rajbagh, female (75) from Shivpora, male (NA) from Khansahib, male (60) from Habba Kadal, female (60) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (68) from Bhagwan Mohalla, male (32) from Safapora, male (21) from West Bengal, male (30) and two females (48, 38) from Lar Ganderbal, male (05) from Hakabara Bandipora, female (45) from Waripora Safapora, female (30) from Ranger Mohalla, male (12) from Batpora, female (48) and male (26) from Theeru GBL, two males (30, 21) from Thew, two males (20, 52) and female (14) from Shivpora, male (85) from Pampore, two females (70, 32) and male (30) from Behama, female (54) from Pandach, male (32) from Sehpora, male (85) from Sayedkadal, male (20) from Dobipora, female (61) from Bachpora, male (58) from Reshipora, male (35) from Tulmula, male (45) from District Police GBL, male (70) from Arch, female (12) and male (35) from Waripora Safapora, male (29) from Kangan, female (50) and male (40) from Hadoora, female (27) from Rangil, female (42) from Habak, male (32) and female (30) from Batapora, male (40) from Buserbug, male (45) and female (60) from Shuhama GBL, male (26) from Khalmulla, male (23) from Thune Kangan, three females (55, 30, 40) and male (21) from Gund Kangan, two males (32, 37) from Abhama, female (28) from Bamnoo, female (65) from Rajpora, female (55) and male (66) from Thokerpora, male (28) from Kamrazipora, female (60₹ and male (16) from Chewakalan, male (70) from Wahibugh, female (45) from Batmaloo, female (60) from Shopian, female (75) from Rawalpora, female (65) from Bemina, NA (55) from Charisharief, female (26) from ENT Deptt, two females (35, 10) from Shalteng, male (57) and female (17) from Dental College, male (32) from Balgarden, female (65) from Peerbagh, female (60) from Solina, two males (52, 08) and female (12) from Hassan Abad, male (60) from Karanagar, male (NA) from Nawabazar, male (25) from Baramulla, male (50) from Chattabal, male (31) from Sonwar, female (50) from Kawdara; female (70) from Srg, female (30) from Nawakadal, male (35) and female (90) from Hawal, female (22) from Eidgah, female (44) from Tengbash.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (20) from Tungdano, female (08) from Litter, female (40) from Kujjar, female (65) from Nandimarg, female (65) from DH Pora, male (29) from Avil, two males (38, 26) from Khull, male (56) and female (51) from DH Pora, male (30) from Nandimarg, male (34) from Manzgam, male (32) from DK Marg, male (26) from Kulgam, male (19) from Laise Ahmad, male (23) from Lassipora, two females (35, 31) from DH Pora, male (30) from Khull, female (42) from H M Gori, male (21) from Bagward, female (17) from Khull, female (40) from DH Pora, female (32) from Kowserbal, female (30) from C R Pora, female (48) from Gopalpora, male (12) from Balsoo, male (18) from Ponewa, male (27) from Brazloo, male (32) from Kulgam, male (40) from Khakarma, male (40) from Watoo, male (60) from Kanipora, male (61) from Reshipora, male (30) from Manzgam, female (33) from Khur Batpora, female (22) from Mahipora, male (70) from K Hallan, male (30) from Kachdoora, female (70) from Chencer, male (42) from Bugam, male (60) from Kulgam, male (32) from Pahloo Nowgam, male (60) from Chandrigam, male (40) and two females (07, 36) from Liver Pahalgam; female (33) from Nai Basti, female (67) from Kadipora, male (34) from Sadura, male (40) and female (40) from Cheeni Chowk, male (36) from Donipawa, male (60) from Malaknag, male (35) and female (62) from Anchidora, female (73) from Batengoo, NA (NA) from Sangran, male (62) from KP Road, female (26) from Pulwama, male (70) from Kokernag, male (50) from Khudwani, male (65) from Nowpora Akhran, female (85) from Janglat Mandi, female (65) from Khund Nahooq, male (38) from Khiram, male (25) from Sangam, male (33) from Pouro, male (45) from Kachwan, male (41) from Watnard, female (35) from Soaf, male (26) from Chandpora Kanelwan, male (53) from Ketriteng Bij, male (27) from Charsoo AWP, seven males (41, 30, 29, 28, 23, 50, 30) from Kulgam, twelve males (60, 36, 45, 28, 55, 37, 12, 40, 26, 25, 28, 55) and three females (55, 30, 24) from Nursingpora, female (65) from H C Gam, male (35) from Kulgam, female (23) from Wanigund, male (28) from Bogund, male (27) from Sonigam, male (28) from Ganjipora, female (21) from Shamsipora, female (30) from Chadder, male (67) from Khudwani, male (36) from Wanpoh, male (45) from Lazbal, male (75) from Yaripora, male (50) and female (60) from Katapora, male (46) from Sherpora, male (70) from Badroo, male (25) from Chingam, male (45) from Zaban, male (60) from Yaripora, female (28) from Zaban, male (38) from Yaripora, male (50) from Kanjikulla, female (30) from Kokergund and male (40) from Yaripora. (GNS)

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