New York: Coronavirus infection can likely have a long-term impact on blood vessels and heart health in young and healthy people, even with mild symptoms, according to a study.

The finding showed that increased stiffness of arteries was found in young adults, which may impact heart health, and can also be important for other populations who may have had severe cases of the virus.

This means that young, healthy adults with mild Covid-19 symptoms may increase their risk of cardiovascular complications which may continue for some time after Covid-19 infection, said the researchers from the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, US.

“These findings suggest a potential long-term impact of Covid-19 on young, relatively healthy adults who may otherwise think the virus may not be affecting them,” said Steve Ratchford, from the varsity.

While SARS-CoV-2, the virus known for causing the Covid-19 pandemic, is mainly characterised by respiratory symptoms, other studies have recently shown changes to blood vessel function among young adults 3-4 weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. This has also been observed months after infection in older adults as well.

The team found that the virus may have detrimental effects to arteries throughout the body, including in the carotid artery which supplies the brain with blood.

This draws comparisons between SARS-CoV-2 and other acute bacterial and viral infections which alter arterial stiffness such as rheumatic fever, Kawasaki disease, pneumonia, H. Pylori, and lupus, all of which may persist long after symptoms have resolved.

The team tested 15 young adults 3-4 weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. They used an ultrasound on the carotid artery and took recordings of that image for 10-15 heart beats.

These recordings were analysed on a computer software to find measures of carotid stiffness. For the control group, they used data from young healthy adults who were studied prior to theA Covid-19 pandemic.

New Delhi:  India has registered 4,14,188 new COVID-19 cases within the past 24 hours, marking the largest daily increase since the start of the outbreak, the Health Ministry said on Friday.

With this the cumulative tally in the country has reached 2,14,92,198.

Within the same period, the death toll has risen by 3,915 to stand at 2,34,083. More than 17.61 million patients have recovered since the start of the epidemic.

According to the Ministry, the active cases rose by 78,766 in the last 24 hours and is being pegged at 21,491,598,

As many as 3,31,507 were discharged taking the total number of recoveries in the country to 1,76,12,351.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 29,86,01,699 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 18,26,490 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, total 16,49,73,058 people have been administered COVID-19 jabs since January 16, with 23,70,298 people being inoculated since yesterday.

Visits Govt Hospital Gandhi Nagar, CD Hospital, GMC Jammu; reviews Covid infra, facilities

Jammu, May 7: To take first hand appraisal of the infrastructure and patient care management in Covid care Hospitals, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday visited Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Chest Disease & TB Hospital Jammu, and Government Medical College Jammu.

During his visits, the Lt Governor enquired about number of patients being treated in the hospitals, patients discharged after recovery, availability of oxygen support beds.

The Lt Governor, while inspecting the functionality of Oxygen Generation Plants in the Hospitals, directed for effective rationalization of available resources to cater to the requirements of the patients.

The Lt Governor directed the hospitals to ensure that best possible care is given to the patients through regular rounds of HoDs and senior doctors in the wards. He also emphasized on strict compliance of the hospital referral policy and triage in the hospitals.

“Doctors must have personal interaction with the patients and their attendants to ensure better treatment”, maintained the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor directed the concerned officers of Health Department to increase Covid dedicated beds with oxygen support in the shortest possible time by coordinating with the concerned departments for providing best patient care in the Covid care hospitals.

At Chest Disease & TB Hospital Jammu, the Lt Governor enquired from In-charge Triage Facility, Dr Rajeshwar Sharma about the number of patients being treated, number of patients discharged after recovery, and health infrastructure available in the hospital to treat all Covid-19 patients.

In order to strengthen health workforce, the Lt Governor directed the authorities of Covid care hospitals to increase the paramedical staff, besides rationalizing the medical staff from peripheral hospitals of the District.

Directions were also passed for the strict compliance of duty rosters at all Hospitals.

It was informed that the trial run of 2400 LPM capacity Oxygen Generation Plant in GMC Jammu is going on and the same would be made fully functional by May 8, 2021 enabling the addition of about 125 Covid dedicated beds in the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Mukesh Singh, ADGP; Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma, Principal & Dean GMC & AH’s Jammu; Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Renu Sharma; accompanied the Lt Governor during the visits.

Asks them to enhance capacity at 100-bedded Covid care facilities to 200 beds with oxygen support

Jammu:  Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Friday discussed Covid preparedness and containment measures with the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Y K Joshi and senior Army officials from Northern and Western Commands, here at Raj Bhavan.

Lieutenant General S. Hari Mohan Iyer, Chief of Staff, Northern Command and Major General Neeraj Gosain, GOC 26 Div were present in the meeting.

While appreciating and lauding the ongoing efforts of the Army in providing necessary support in form of Covid care hospitals, the Lt Governor asked the senior Army officials of Northern and Western Commands to explore the possibility of enhancing the capacity at 100-bedded Covid care facilities to 200 beds with oxygen support.

The Lt Governor further asked the officials of Northern Command to collaborate their efforts with Western Command to augment the 100 beds capacity of Covid-19 centre at Army Public School Domana, Jammu to 200 beds.

The Lt Governor assured that J&K government will provide every possible assistance and resources to the Army for enhancing the already existing Covid care facilities in the UT including medical infrastructure, equipment, and oxygen supply.

The senior Army officials apprised the Lt Governor about the efforts put up by the Army in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir to combat the pandemic including Western Command’s 100-bedded Covid care centre at Army Public School Domana in Jammu; 250-bedded Covid hospital in Kashmir’s Rangreth area jointly operationalized by Chinar Corps and Civil Administration.

It was informed that treatment of Covid positive cases is also being done at Military hospitals after the referral of Civil Administration.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor also attended the meeting.

Srinagar: No congregational prayers were held in historic Jamia Masjid,  Hazratbal shrine besides other major shrines on Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.

The shrines and major Masjids across the Valley remained closed in wake of the lockdown imposed by the government in order to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.

However, prayers with due reverence to covid-19 guidelines were held in local mosques.

Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board had already announced suspension of celebrations and congregational prayers on Jumatul Vida at Masjids and Shrines affiliated to it, in view of threat of the coronavirus.

Aniuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid on May 6 also announced that Jummat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr programmes at the grand Masjid stand cancelled due to exponential rise in COVID-19 cases and lockdown which has been imposed in the wake of second wave of coronavirus.

The Anjuman in a statement had stresses upon the people to spend these holy occasions especially the last 10 days of Ramadan at their homes by holding special prayers, dhikr-o-adhkaar and manaajaat besides pray to Almighty Allah to grant us complete refuge from the deadly virus.

It was for the second consecutive year that congregational prayers were suspended in the historic Jamia masjid and other major shrines in the Valley.

Meanwhile, Corona Curfew continued to remain in place across Srinagar and other districts of J&K for the eighth straight day to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. The lockdown will continue till May 10.

‘DRDO hospitals to be completed in next 15-20 days’

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, May 0: Amid the steep surge in Covid-19 cases, the Union Territory government on Friday claimed that they are increasing oxygen supported beds across Jammu and Kashmir on fast-track basis.

Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo said they are increasing oxygen supported beds across J&K on war-footing.

He said that around 150 oxygen supported beds will be increased at SKIMS Soura, 100 at SMHS, JVC Bemina and other major hospitals besides that more steps in this regard are being taken.

He said that if need arises in coming days, requisition will be forwarded to private hospitals as well to deal with Covid-19 pandemic.

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Duloo said, has started work on the 500 bed hospitals one each in Kashmir and Jammu and it will be completed within 15-20 days.

Dulloo said that everything whether it is oxygen, medicines or vaccines are available in adequate quantity in Jammu and Kashmir and there is no need to panic.

The FC Health and He said that oxygen plants at almost every district hospitals and few sub district hospitals have been installed and work on other plants is going on which is expected to get completed next few days.

There remains a shortage of vaccine or medicine for some time but are being made available on time, he added—(KNO)

Srinagar: Six security personnel and a civilian sustained injuries in a grenade explosion at Nawabazar area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said.

An official said at 4:50 pm, suspected militants tossed a grenade at the joint party of police and CRPF’s 23 battalion at Nawabazar area of Srinagar.

“In total, six security forces personnel that includes a police man sustained injuries. A civilian was also injured in the blast taking the total number of injuries to seven,” the official said.

CRPF spokesman in Srinagar O P Tiwari said that all the injured CRPF men are stable and out of danger. “They have sustained minor injuries,” he said.

Police sources identified the injured as constable Hareesh Kumar, constable Vijay Kumar, Constable Surinder , head constable G D Mudlagiri, and ASI Prem Sab, all from the CRPF’s 23 battalion. “The injured police man has been identified as Constable Fayaz Ahmed of police station M R Gunj while as the civilian has been identified as Hazik Ali Digoo of Chanapora ara of Srinagar,” they said.

All the injured were shifted to nearby SMHS hospital, where their condition is stated as stable.

Soon after the attack, senior police and CRPF men rushed to the area to take stock of the situation. Searches were also launched in and around the area to nab the attackers, the officials said—(KNO)

Inspects GMC Anantnag, Covid Hospital Bijbehara; calls for medical need based utilisation of oxygen

Anantnag:  The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P. K. Pole Friday visited Anantnag and made on spot inspection of various medical and healthcare facilities associated with Covid management in the district.

The Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla, ADC, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, ADDC, Bashir Ahmad, SDM Bijbehara, CAO, CMO, Dy CMO, MS Trauma Hospital Bijbihara and other concerned officers were present during his visit.

Pole took a detailed stock of medical infrastructure and oxygen availability besides the augmentations being made for effective mitigation of the pandemic here.

At dedicated Covid Hospital (Trauma Hospital) Bijbehera, the Div Com inspected the newly commissioned 500 LPM oxygen plant and reviewed its functioning briefly. He directed the health officials to utilise the oxygen supply rationally while ensuring the health of the patients is not compromised.

The Div Com inaugurated the Pukaar Helpline at DC office Anantnag‌ which will function round the clock and serve as a single point contact for the people of the district to register their grievances with the administration. He also reviewed the functioning of the district Covid control room which has been working for mitigating the problems of covid and non covid persons in the district.

Later, the Div Com visited GMC Anantnag and took stock of functioning of Covid dedicated ward besides the recently commissioned 1000 LPM and old 350 LPM oxygen plants. The principal GMC informed the Div Com the 1000 LPM plant is catering to the high flow oxygen needs of patients and another similar capacity (1000 LPM) plant will be commissioned in next two days.

Pole directed the Principal GMC for making proper teams which will oversee the working of oxygen plants besides conducting fire and emergency audit of the hospital and removing the critical points. He also called for strict “no entry” for unauthorized persons in oxygen plants and other important locations.

Stressing on proper functioning of triage centre at GMC, the Div Com asked the health authorities to monitor its working on daily basis and allocate the facilities to Covid patients as per their need and condition.

Addressing the team of doctors, he emphasized for deferment of non-emergency surgeries so that the human and material resources are utilised for effective Covid mitigation.

He also passed directions for minimizing entry of attendants to covid wards, separate entry and exit points for Covid and non-covid patients to reduce chances of virus exposure besides deputing volunteers (Ex-servicemen, SDRF etc) who would help ensure the same.

At last, the Div Com visited the CMOs office and took stock of the functioning of Covid Control Room there. He was informed by CMO Ang that the control room and similar control rooms at Block level are working round the clock to monitor the home isolation of positive patients, requirements of Covid persons, testing process and referrals across the district.

Pole directed for further augmentation of the control room with proper dovetailing of resources besides aggressive testing of the people in containment zones.

Talking to the media, the Div Com said the administration is fully prepared to tackle the situation that has arisen out of the Covid-19 Pandemic and appealed the public to strictly follow the restrictions and SOPs besides avoiding gatherings to combat it.

As a proactive measure, the district administration and health authorities have put in place 335 oxygenated beds at various hospitals/facilities and other augmentative steps are being taken to ramp up medical infrastructure and oxygen availability across the district.

Srinagar:  The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K Pole, has  deployed as many as 100 ESM volunteers for covid duty across Kashmir.

The volunteers have been divided into a team of ten each for each district in the Valley and have also reported to respective District Collectors and employed to augment the District Hospital Manpower and in crowd control.

These Kashmiri heroes have come forward to again serve the AWAAM and the country with utter disregard to their personal comforts.  A true testimony to their spirit which says once again on hearing the clarion call the ESM community has volunteered  to re-attire themselves as COVID warriors.

Kashmir Division has a total of 8308 Ex-Servicemen(ESM), out of which 1412  ESM have volunteered to come to the rescue of already overburdened civil medical infrastructure and serve the AWAM.