Srinagar: The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Srinagar Mohammad Aijaz Asad Wednesday released an ex-gratia relief Rs.14,20,900 in favour of the fire victims of Batamaloo, Basant Bagh,, Namchbal Fatah Kadal, Aramwari, Haft Chinar, Nawabazar and Bhagwanpora Eidgah Srinagar whose houses/properties were gutted in different fire incidents.
The ex-gratia relief was released under SDRF norms.
Srinagar: Alleging that people of Kashmir are confused about implementation of COVID curfew because it is not applicable on ground, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday urged the administration to either impose the lockdown properly or completely lift it.
BJP Kashmir Media In-charge and youth leader Manzoor Bhat said that it is unfortunate that despite lockdown, heavy traffic jams were witnessed in Srinagar city. “It shows how city administration has failed completely to curb the COVID-19 infections”.
Bhat urged Lt Governor Administration to either impose a strict lockdown or lift all the restrictions in Kashmir. “Passenger vehicles are openly violating the COVID-19 guidelines and lockdown has been only restricted to the closing of shops,” he alleged.
“Our worthy Deputy Commissioner Srinagar is not capable of imposing lockdown, he should learn from his predecessor. Lockdown is not restricted for traders and shopkeepers… why are public and private vehicles plying openly,” he questioned.
“On one hand, there is a strict lockdown on papers and on the other hand same administration is proving curfew passes for public transport vehicles. Both police and administration should look into this issue immediately,” he said.
Bhat said the BJP had recently announced grievance helpline numbers for distressed people and they are trying their best to reach out to them through various means, including oxygen cylinders, medicine, and other things. “At some places, we need some help from the local administration and it is unfortunate that the DC Srinagar is not responding to several phone calls from the BJP office. The calls were not meant to gain personal favor but were made for public work,” he said.
Dubai: Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne closed in on a top-10 spot in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings released on Wednesday after a successful second Test against Bangladesh in Kandy which his side won by 209 runs to clinch the two-match series 1-0.
The opening batsman struck 118 and 66, moving up four slots to 11th position in the list led by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Karunaratne’s career-best ranking is sixth, attained in August 2019.
He is the top-ranked Test batsman from Sri Lanka with Angelo Mathews next in the list in 24th position, the ICC said.
Niroshan Dickwella (up four places to 31st), Oshada Fernando (up 10 places to 58th) and Lahiru Thirimanne (up 13 places to 60th) are the other Sri Lanka batsmen to advance while left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama’s player of the match haul of 11 for 178, the best figures by a Sri Lankan on Test debut, sees him enter the rankings in 48th position.
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal’s knocks of 92 and 24 have helped him gain three places to reach 27th position while Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Mominul Haque have inched up a slot each to reach 21st and 30th positions, respectively, in the men’s weekly update that includes the first Test between Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali’s haul of nine for 89 in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare not only won him the player of the match award for starring in the innings victory but also enabled him to gain 15 slots and reach a career-best 20th position among bowlers.
Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi (up two places to 31st) and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali (up 12 places to 54th) have also advanced in the list for bowlers while left-handed batsman Fawad Alam continues his fine run, moving up 31 places to a career-best 47th position after scoring 140, his fourth century in 10 Test matches.
Abid Ali is up six places to 78th position.
For Zimbabwe, Regis Chakabva has gained two slots to reach 97th position while fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has progressed 26 slots to reach 55th position with figures of four for 73.
The present covid-19 pandemic is arguably the most devastating public health crises India has ever seen, and systemic failures are apparent all around. Jammu and Kashmir is no exception. The pandemic has put entire health systems under immense pressure and stretched it to capacity, almost to the breaking point. As such, responding to this public health emergency and successfully minimizing its impact requires every health resource to be leveraged. Amid this crisis, the role of every “covid warrior” has been immense. Last year, they even faced acts of violence and as a consequence severely hindered the response. Some even faced stigma as they were dubbed as vectors of contagion. Some have been assaulted. Others were denied even transport while commuting to work. At times, their entire families faced eviction, not only from rented accommodations but even from their homes. Since then, things have changed for the better as far as attacks are concerned. However, it is not the case that the covid warriors are altogether safe. They continue to put their life on the line. The pestilence can be contracted by them as much as any ordinary individual. It is thus imperative that the government ensures better protection along with availability of all that they need to ward off against the virus. Failure to protect them in this rapidly changing context exposes health systems to critical gaps in services when they are most needed, and can have a long-lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of populations. From doctors, nurses, lab technicians, drivers, sweepers and attendants, who have been at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus disease, to members from different organs of the administration and departments need to be protected and their role appreciated.
Recognizing it, the government has already announced incentives of Rs 10,000 p.m. for Resident doctors, PGs and Medical Officers; Rs 7,000 p.m. for Nursing and Paramedical staff, and Rs 5,000 p.m. for drivers, sweepers and attendants.
The administration also extended till December 31 the services of all doctors who are due to retire on or before November 30. Besides, the tenure of doctors on tenure posts such as residents, registrars etc has been extended till 31st December wherever these tenures are ending earlier. These steps are in the right direction and rather need to be augmented. While incentives will surely be a morale booster, the government has also rightly valued the experience of the medical professionals to effectively deal with the evolving Covid situation.
By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: As the country grapples with the second wave of COVID-19, experts have predicted that India is likely to face the third wave of the pestilence in October-November this year.
According to the media reports the second wave will flatten by July after peaking in May and recur by October 2021.
Chief of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of Karnataka, Dr MK Sudarshan has said that the younger population would be more affected by third wave. “Fully vaccinated senior citizens would be safe by then. Those below 18 years would be most vulnerable,” he has claimed.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Vaccination is the only way out. Process needs to be expedited. At present the inoculation drive is open for all above 18 years of age. It needs to be thrown open for children also. The government needs to procure more and more vaccines. People too should realize that taking a COVID-19 jab is the only way out and it cannot be ignored.”
He said, “The people who had got vaccinated and tested positive for COVID-19 in the second wave didn’t develop much complications. It has proven beyond doubt that vaccinations have helped. These hold the key to developing herd immunity.”
The expert said, “The alarm about the third wave has already been sounded and it should not be taken lightly. The children below 18-years need to be protected and a mechanism needs to be put in place to wipe out the COVID-19 from the system. This pandemic has ripped us apart.”
He said, “The experts had sounded an alert about the second wave as early as February this year but people didn’t take it seriously. Most of us had become complacent and had declared victory against the COVID-19 too early. We need to learn from our past mistakes.”
The government had recently stated that the process is on to acquire the Russian vaccine Sputnik and it would also become available in the open market soon. “Things are looking up but we have to take precautions till we defeat the virus completely. In Kashmir lockdown has been enforced and people are being asked to stay at home. We have to exhibit patience as being patient is the only way out. Rushing to hospitals won’t help our cause. The health facilities are already overburdened. We need to keep the hospitals open for the critical COVID-19 patients. Resilience is the only way out,”
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded the highest single day spike of 4,650 Covid cases and 37 deaths.
Of the 4650 new cases, 1463 were reported from Jammu division and 3187 from Kashmir division. The total cases in J&K has risen to 1,91,869.
Of the 37 deaths due to Covid today, 25 were reported from Jammu region and 12 from Kashmir.
1878 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 631 from Jammu region and 1247 from Kashmir.
The cases tested positive in J&K include 1,311 from Srinagar, 352 from Baramulla, 386 from Budgam, 240 from Pulwama, 96 from Kupwara, 417 from Anantnag, 107 from Bandipora, 31 from Ganderbal, 162 from Kulgam and 85 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 1,463 from Jammu division include 598 from Jammu, 220 from Udhampur, 205 from Rajouri, 81 from Doda, 134 from Kathua, 50 from Samba, 15 from Kishtwar, 72 from Poonch, 49 from Ramban and 39 from Reasi.
According to the daily Media Bulletin, out of 191869 positive cases, 37302 are Active Positive, 152109 have recovered and 2458 have died; 1006 in Jammu division and 1452 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 7418169 test results available, 7226300 samples have been tested as negative till May 4.
Till date, 1844022 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 90390 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 37302 in isolation and 114217 in home surveillance.
Besides, 1599655 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Out of 7,418,169 the number of samples tested negative stands at 7,226,300 while as 191,869 have tested positive.
New Delhi: India recorded 3,57,229 new COVID-19 cases within the past 24 hours, pushing the active caseload to 1,99,25,604, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Tuesday.
Within the same period, the death toll has risen by 3,449 and now stands at 2,22,408. More than 15.68 million patients have recovered since the start of the epidemic.
As many as 3,20,289 were discharged taking the total number of recoveries in the country to 1,66,13,292.
According to the Ministry, the active cases rose by 33,491 in the last 24 hours and the active case tally now stands at 24,28,616.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 29,33,10,779 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 16,63,742 were tested in the past one day.
On the vaccination front, total 15,89,32,921 people have been administered COVID-19 jabs since January 16, with 17,08,390 people being inoculated since yesterday.
By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar: In Kashmir, of 348 beds designated as COVID ICU beds, around 165 beds have been already occupied.
A top health official said while 183 COVID ICU beds are still vacant in Kashmir division but the main four territary care hospitals in Srinagar have just three ICU beds vacant.
“With each passing day, more and more ICU beds are being occupied and if the steep surge of the Covid-19 positive patients continues it seems very soon we will struggle to find a life-support bed for sick patients,” an official said.
An official said four level three tertiary care hospitals of Srinagar which includes SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina, SMHS Srinagar and Chest disease hospital have just three ICU beds available.
An official said that at SKIMS Soura 300 beds including 292 isolation and eight ICU beds have been reserved for Covid patients and among them 289 isolation and six ICU beds are already full.
At SMHS, an official said, there are 203 beds kept for Covid patients which includes 192 isolation beds and 11 COVID ICU beds and among them 174 isolation beds and 10 ICU beds are already full while there is a vacancy of 18 isolation and one ICU bed.
“At SKIMS Bemina, out of 170 beds which includes 166 isolation and four ICU beds, 76 isolation beds and all four ICU beds are full,” an official said.
“At CD hospital of 94 total bed capacity 77 are isolation beds and four are ICU beds. All ICU beds are full, however, three isolation beds are available,” an official said.
An official at JLNM Hospital out of 150 including 139 isolation and 11 ICU beds, 30 Isolation and 8 ICU beds are vacant.
“Besides that at PHC Chanapora 20 isolation beds and 04 ICU beds are available,” an official said.
The ICU beds which are vacant in Kashmir so far include four at SDH Sopore, seven at Trauma Hospital Bijbehara, six at district Hospital Bandipora, 10 at MCH wing Kulgam, four at AMT School Shopian, 10 at District hospital Pulwama, 12 at District hospital Gandebal and 08 at CHC Kupwara.
In Kashmir division out of 3,817 isolation beds 2,054 beds are full and 1580 are vacant. Among 348 isolation beds 165 beds are full and 183 are vacant.
Pertinently, there are 24,000 active positive cases in Kashmir division—(KNO)
Srinagar: In recognition to the services rendered during COVID-19 pandemic, Government has granted sanction to the incentives to COVID-19 Warriors of Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department in Jammu and Kashmir.
An order Government Order No: 360 – JK (HME) of 2021 Dated: 04 -05-2021 states that sanction is hereby accorded to the grant of financial incentives in respect of COVID-19 Warriors of Health & Medical Education Department for rewarding the services rendered by them.
The incentives as indicated in the order stand at Rupees 10,000 each for Resident Doctors/ PGs and Medical Officers, Rs 7000 for Paramedical staff/Nursing staff and Rs 5000 for driver class and Class-IV (NO/Sweepers).
These special incentives shall be exclusively for those health frontline workers who directly deal with the COVID-19 patients and the tenure of these incentives shall be for peak pandemic period, for 03 months, starting from the month of May, 2021, the order further states.
Srinagar: The Corona Curfew, which continued to remain in place for the fifth straight day on Tuesday, has been extended till Monday while police arrested 143 persons and lodged 79 FIRs against the persons found violating the lockdown norms.
An official spokesman said the Corono curfew, which was to be lifted on Thursday 7 am, has been extended in five districts of J&K till Monday (May 10) 7 am in view of surge in Covid cases and positivity rate.
The Corona Curfew has been extended in Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam and Jammu. Besides, Samba district will also be under Corona Curfew from 7 pm on Wednesday 5 May 2021 till 7 am on Monday, 10 May 2021.
The Corona curfew at night shall continue in all Municipal / Urban Local Body limits of all the districts of the UT, including the above five districts. Night curfew and other restrictions when curfew is not there will continue as before.
The lockdown was imposed on last Thursday evening to prevent the virus from spreading.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar were enforcing the lockdown personally today.
The police and paramilitary troops were deployed in large number in the city and other areas to enforce the lockdown restrictions. The barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement, they said.
Meanwhile, all the shops and business establishments barring emergency services, standalone shops remained closed throughout the day in Srinagar and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides, the public transport with 50 per cent seating capacity was also allowed to ply today by the authorities.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said police arrested 143 persons, lodged 79 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 84,930 from 620 people for violating the guidelines, rules throughout Kashmir valley.
He said seven vehicles were also seized in Budgam and Bandipora for violating guidelines and restrictions.
“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 and guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Police also urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people.
Precious Kashmir was registered in 2014. Today Precious Kashmir can well and truly take pride in the legacy of its work, and in its contribution towards the building of a free and fair Press in J&K state.
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