Precious Kashmir

2nd vaccine dose free of cost for those who took first dose before April 30: Centre

National

03/05/2021

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Sunday said that beneficiaries falling into the priority group of Healthcare Workers (HCWs), Frontline Workers (FLWs), and a person aged above 45 years who have taken their first dose at a private COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) on and before April 30 will be eligible to receive their second dose at government CVCs free of cost.

According to a letter issued by the Additional Secretary of the Union Health Ministry Manohar Agnani, the beneficiaries of the priority group can also avail their second doses in private CVCs being run under ‘other than Government of India’ channel on a payment basis at the rate fixed by such private CVCs.

“Beneficiaries falling into the priority group of HCWs, FLWs, and a person aged above 45 years who have taken their first dose at a private COVID vaccination centers (CVCs) on and before April 30 will be eligible to receive their second dose at government CVCs free of cost,” it said.

This to help the beneficiaries who had received their first dose at private CVCs but yet to complete the two-dose vaccination schedule.

India has administered as many as 15,68,16,031 vaccine doses since the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the state started on January 16.

The country also started the third phase of the vaccination drive on May 1 for the beneficiaries of the age group 18-44.

Divisional Admin releases documentary on Covid-19

City

Precious Kashmir

03/05/2021

Urge people to follow Covid- protocol, take vaccine for safety

Srinagar: The Divisional Administration Kashmir Sunday released a documentary highlighting the present covid situation and measures taken to contain its spread in Kashmir.

During the 6 minute and 31 second documentary, subjects including covid related awareness generation, lockdown, vaccination of frontline workers including health workers, religious scholars, traders and shopkeepers in first phase and other measures taken by the government to safeguard lives of people during the pandemic have been showcased in detail.

Reiterating on following covid SOPs including using of face mask, social distancing and maintaining proper hand hygiene , the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole urged people to maintain actual covid behaviour for their safety and their family members.

He maintained that over 8 lac people have been vaccinated in Kashmir so far and the process of vaccinations shall be paced up with each passing day, besides urging general public to cooperate in fighting the war against the corona virus.

Moreover, the Divisional Covid Control Room, Kashmir has found a special mention in the documentary for its 24×7 operation and playing an important role in mitigating sufferings of people, particularly covid affected people till date.

As the covid positive cases are increasing with second wave hitting all across, the Divisional Administration has also put all men and machinery into services and paced up conduct of aggressive testing and vaccination process and has been putting all its efforts to fight the virus.

Renowned health experts including Director SKIMS Soura, Professor AG Ahangar, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, HOD Chest Disease Hospital, Srinagar Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, HOD Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, Professor Mohammad Salim Khan deliberated on the importance of vaccinations and following Covid SOPs in letter and spirit to contain the spread of virus.

Religious scholars and traders stressing on dispelling all misconceptions and rumours about vaccination, appealed general public to come forward to take vaccine doses as must for their safe health.

For free movement of Darbar employees, up convoy allowed on highway

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

03/05/2021

Srinagar: To allow free movement of vehicles carrying Darbar Move employees and passenger Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), up convoy was allowed from Jammu to Srinagar on the highway, the only all weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

Official sources said that for the third consecutive day on Sunday, traffic was allowed from Jammu to Srinagar to allow vehicles carrying Darbar Move to ply smoothly on the highway.

As the half of the Darbar Move offices were closed in Jammu, vehicles carrying employees, left this morning for Srinagar. Employees of offices which were closed on Friday travelled to Kashmir on Saturday while those closed on Saturday left for Kashmir this morning.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has deferred the biannual Darbar Move to Srinagar and said the civil secretariat, which is the seat of the UT administration, shall function from Srinagar and Jammu cities simultaneously. However, all the employees whether he or she moves to Srinagar or remain in Jammu will be paid Rs 25,000 as travel allowance, he has announced.

A traffic police official told UNI that besides vehicles carrying darbar move employees, passenger LMVs also left Jammu for Srinagar.

However, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road, seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed though snow clearance operation has been completed since December last year. The Mughal connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region.

Omar, Mehbooba congratulate Mamta

City

United News Of India

03/05/2021

Srinagar: Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Mamata Banerjee as Trinamool Congress (TMC) is once again set to form a government in the West Bengal.

Mehbooba, who is the president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the people of West Bengal have rejected disruptive and divisive forces. “Congratulations to @MamataOfficial @AITCofficial @derekobrienmp on their splendid victory today. Kudos to the people of West Bengal for rejecting disruptive & divisive forces,” Mehbooba wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, who is the vice president of National Conference (NC), congratulating Ms Banerjee, alleged that the BJP and a thoroughly partisan Election Commission threw everything including the kitchen sink at you & you prevailed.

“Heartiest congratulations to @MamataOfficial didi & everyone at @AITCofficial for the remarkable victory in West Bengal. The BJP & a thoroughly partisan Election Commission threw everything including the kitchen sink at you & you prevailed. All the best for the next 5 years,” Omar tweeted.

Banerjee will return as the Chief Minister for the third consecutive term with the TMC seeping the West Bengal Assembly polls.

Director Health tours Ang; reviews Covid, non Covid preparedness

City

Precious Kashmir

03/05/2021

Srinagar: In order to take stock of the health care facilities and status of covid preparedness in particular, Director Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather Sunday paid a detailed visit to health institutes of Anantnag District.

The Director on the directions of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dullo inspected various wards and units of the Dedicated Covid Trauma Hospital Bijbehara, SDH Bijbehara, PHC Mattan, PHC Aishmuqam, CHC Seer, PHC Pahalgam & SDH Saller.

The Director received information about the availability of various facilities, infrastructure, manpower, supply and stock of medicines, diagnostic equipments and sanitation in the hospital.

At dedicated covid trauma hospital Bijbehara, Director Health ensured that all the covid preparedness is upto the mark and as per established guidelines. While inspecting the 500 LPM oxygen generation plant site he was assured by the installing agency for its functioning by tomorrow. DHSK while visiting SDH Bijbehara took stock of non covid health care services and gave on spot directions to further augment the same.

Rather also visited the vaccination centre PHC Mattan, PHC Ashmuqam and took stock of the vaccination status & health care services respectively. He also interacted with the public and heard their queries of which the Director assured in positivity.

He also visited PHC Pahalgam wherein he took stock of health care services & Amarnath Yatra preparedness.

Army postpones recruitment rally in Bandipora

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

03/05/2021

Srinagar: The Army on Sunday postponed the recruitment rally that was scheduled to be held in Bandipora from May 17 in view of unabated rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Kashmir valley.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Col Emron Musavi said that in the wake of spike in COVID-19 cases in the Valley, Army Recruitment Rally, which was scheduled to be held from May 17 to May 28, 2021 at Helipad Ground, Sonarwani, Bandipora has been postponed till further orders.

“Candidates who have already registered for this recruitment rally, their registration will stand and not be affected,” he said, adding fresh dates of rally will be intimated later.

IPL 2021: Dhawan’s fifty guides DC to 7-wicket win over PBKS

Sports

United News Of India

03/05/2021

Ahmedabad: Shikhar Dhawan’s fantastic fifty guided Delhi Capitals to a comfortable 7-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the 29th match of the IPL 2021, here on Sunday.

Put into bat, stand-in skipper Mayank Agarwal scored an unbeaten 58-ball 99 as Punjab Kings posted 166/6 in 20 overs. Besides Agarwal, Dawid Malan contributed with run-a-ball 26.

For DC, Kagiso Rabada (3/36) claimed three wickets, while Avesh Khan (1/39) and Axar Patel (1/21) picked one wicket apiece.

In reply, Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with an unbeaten 47-ball 69 as Delhi Capitals chased down the target in 17.4 overs.

Apart from Dhawan, opener Prithvi Shaw (39) and Steven Smith (24) also contributed with the bat for DC.

Riley Meredith (1/35), Chris Jordan (1/21), Harpreet Brar (1/19) were the wicket takers for Punjab.

With this victory, Delhi Capitals stormed to the top of the IPL 2021 points table, with 6 wins from 8 matches.

Covid-19: Highest Ever 47 Deaths, 3832 Cases Reported In J&K

Front

Nadeem Nadu

01/05/2021

Covid-19: Highest Ever 47 Deaths, 3832 Cases Reported In J&K

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 3832 fresh covid-19 cases while 47 people succumbed to the virus in last 24 hours, the highest ever number of infections as well as fatalities in a single day, officials said on Saturday.

They said 1231 of these cases were reported from Jammu Division and 2601 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 179915.

Regarding the deaths, they said, 30 were from Jammu Division and 17 from Kashmir Valley, taking the fatality count to 2330.

Providing the district wise details, the official told GNS that Srinagar reported 1084 cases, Baramulla 309, Budgam 291, Pulwama 70, Kupwara 122, Anantnag 286, Bandipora 77, Ganderbal 94, Kulgam 221,
Shopian 47, Jammu 504, Udhampur 141, Rajouri 96, Doda 42, Kathua 120, Samba 137, Kishtwar 15, Poonch 64, Ramban 60 and Reasi 52.

A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura and GMC Anantnag, they said.

The SKIMS cases include male (19) from Wahipora Langate, male (40) from Rafiabad baramulla, male (45) from Haril Langate, male (32) from Langate, male (22) from Mademdev Kupwara, male (35) from Moori Kupwara, male (35) from Gund Chogal, male (56) from Ganipora Handwara, female (24) from Ganipora Handwara, male (65) from Tootigund Handwara, male (75) from Trehgam Kupwara, male (30) from Gugloosa Kupwara, male (57) from Trehgam BSF Kupwara, male (26) from Dolipora Kupwara, male (60) from Kunan Kupwara, female (24) from Gazriyal, male (28) from Dragmullah, male (36) from Dragmullah, male (30) from Kupwara, male (27) from Drugmullah, male (29) from Drugmullah, male (27) from Handwara, male (63) from Khaag larkipora, male (22) from Khaag, male (50) from HMT Sgr, female (35) from Khaag, male (40) from Nirbaba Khaag, male (35) from Khaag, female (30) from Bonzanigam, female (27) from Arwah Beerwah, male (25) from Goripora Beerwah, male (35) from Wadwan Budgam, male (43) from Aarth Budgam, male (52) from Soibugh, female (12) from Soibugh, female (25) from Sangam, female (08) from Narbal Budgam, male (15) from Narbal Budgam, male (03) from Soibugh, male (05) from Soibugh, female (35) from Soibugh, male (58) from Soibugh, male (22) from Hakarmulla, male (18) from Rawalpora Sgr, male (45) from Humhama near Railway Bridge, male (15) from Humhama near Railway Bridge, male (41) from Budgam huroo, male (37) from Dreygam Khansahib, male (70) from Watered Budgam, female (65) from Watered Budgam, male (18) from Shanipora Budgam, female (15) from Palpora Budgam, female (18) from Khansahib Budgam, male (26) from Kuthipora main Budgam, male (27) from Pahroo main Budgam, male (08) from Sanatnagar Budgam, female (40) from Sanatnagar Budgam, male (33) from Hyderpora main, female (25) from Chanpora main, female (28) from Khanda main, female (28) from Sanatnagar, female (75) from Natipora Sgr, male (50) from Karnah Kupwara, male (28) (NA) from Kulgam, female (65) from Sakidafar Sgr, male (57) from Skims Sgr, female (40) from Kangan ganderbal, male (27) from Doda, male (11) from Banihal, male (53) (NA) from Anantnag, female (55) from Hawal, female (60) from Zakura, male (72) from Botakadal, male (72) from Bilal Colony Sgr, male (39) from Dobra Leh, female (60) from Tangmarg baramulla, male (78) from Kathidarwaza Sgr, female (60) from Lalbazar Sgr, male (65) from Baghat, male (68) from Rajbagh, male (65) from Botakadal, female (35) from Rawalpora, female (30) from Baramulla, male (36) from Anchar Sgr, male (25) from Kreshbal Sgr, male (36) from Natipora, male (46) from Buchpora, female (32) from Ahmed Nagar Sgr, female (41) from Buchpora, male (42) from Lalbazar, male (28) from Soura, male (48) from Syedpora Sgr, male (70) from Khaniyar, male (13) from Khaniyar, male (40) from Soura, female (47) from Soura, male (12) from Nowshera, female (62) from Lalbazar, female (32) from Soura, male (40) from Buchpora, male (32) from Eidgah Sgr, female (35) from Buchpora Sgr, male (65) from Nawabazar Sgr, male (35) from Soura, female (37) from Badamwari, male (45) from Rajbagh, male (50) from Buchpora Sgr, female (37) from Soura, male (15) from Ahmed Nagar Sgr, male (18) from Hawal, male (65) from Kanipora Budgam, male (59) from Hawal, male (36) from Habakadal, female (60) from Nishat, male (70) from Naikdkah Bandipora, female (32) from Eidgah, male (64) from Zakura and male (13) from Lalbazar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include three males (26, 39, 30) from Fruit Mandi Sidco Pul, three males (45, 12, 37) and female (40) from Prichoo Pul, male (74) from Kandipora Bij, male (31) from Pazalpora Bij, female (45) from Semthan Bij, male (30) from Kanjigund Batengoo, male (60) from Soaf, male (50) from Watnard, male (29) from Bidder, male (36) from Soaf, male (44) from Narupora, male (36) from Soaf, female (36) from Adigam, male (30) from Soaf, male (41) from Nowgam, male (32) from Kharpora, female (22) from Soaf, male (65) from Kashwan, female (60) from Adigam, male (48) from Arikoon, male (22) from Wathkash Shangus, male (48) from Tengmullah Shangus, two females (30, 56) from Khull Shangus, female (67) from Bonogund, male (NA) from Khundroo, male (NA) from Kawarigam, male (NA) from Gopalpora, male (NA) and female (NA) from Anantnag, male (NA) from Zakura, male (NA) from Damhall, male (NA) from Anchidora, male (24) from Verinag, male (20) from Damhall, male (39) from Mattan, male (25) from Sallar, three males (22, 27, 31) from Shangus, male (29) from Kokernag, male (40) from Yardikha, male (35) from DH Pora, male (23) from Pozipora, male (35) from Shouch, male (35) from Nagam, male (38) from KB Pora, male (30) from N Marg, male (30) from Sailkham, male (26) from DK Marg, male (50) from Sailkham, female (20) from Adigam, female (21) from Kanipora, two males (45, 24) from Kulgam, male (63) from Qaimoh, female (25) from Yamrash, female (28) from Nandimarg, male (40) from Ponipora, male (22) from Adigam, male (24) from Srandoo, female (75) from Bogund, female (45) from Poniwah, female (40) from Kulgam, female (26) from Mihopara, female (75) from Akhran, male (25) from Bogund, female (55) from Bugam, male (49) from Devsar, male (44) from Mukanpora, male (50) from Adigatoo, female (29) from Nowpora, female (31) from Chatripora, female (26) from Kulgam, female (32) from Yamrash, male (35) from Kanipora, female (26) from Drabgam Rajpora, female (34) from Babhara Rajpora, male (26) from Frisal Pul, seven males (36, 70, 80, 46, 80, 46, 40) from Achgoza Pul, female (58) from Abhama Pul, male (49) from Rahmoo Pul, male (27) and female (28) from Arigam Pul, female (40) from Bellow Pul, male (14) and female (09) from Trichal Pul, female (15) and male (22) from Gulzarpora Pul, two females (30, 30) from Badriwan Pul, female (45) and male (21) from Dalipora Pul, male (37) from Murran, two males (65, 16) and four females (45, 25, 35, 65) from Midoora, two females (45, 18) from Lalgam, four males (45, 12, 35, 60) and female (35) from Nowdal, female (30) from Karamulla, male (40) from Narwa, female (30) and male (03) from Kadlabal Pampore, female (25) from Pahoo, female (30) from Wuyan, female (59) from Bakshiabad, male (70) from Lissar, female (70) from Ahlan, male (23) from Zamalgam, male (33) from Hlsidar, female (26) from Brienty, male (48) from Dooru, male (47) and female (45) from Gohan Kokernag, female (59) from Vailoo, two males (28, 17) from Larkipora, male (33) from Sangam, two males (47, 35) from Bijbehara, male (31) from Anantnag, male (50) from Uranhall, male (50) from Guree, male (38) from Kulgam, two males (26, 52) from Kadipora Ang, male (30) from Moominabad Ang, two males (37, 75) and female (70) from Nai Basti Ang, male (30) from Ashajipora, two males (45, 40) from Achabal, male (40) from Nai Basti Ang, male (48) from Anantnag, male (37) from Guree Ang, two females (57, 57) from Danter, male (32) from Harnag Ang, female (55) from G Bus Stand Ang, female (NA) and two males (20, NA) from Mehandi Kadal Ang, male (33) from Arwani, seven males (18, 30, 18, 14, 65, 19, 20) and two females (35, 45) from Sirhama, male (42) from Kral Check, female (45) and male (50) from Pahlipora, two males (20, 23) from Bihar, two males (15, 25) from Shopian, male (38) from Check Awneera, male (02) from Imamsahib, male (48) from Sadipora, two males (39, 28) from PL Reshipora, male (39) from Camp Zainapora and three males (38, 30, 40) from Babapora Camp. (GNS)

Human lives are valuable, lockdown can help, say experts

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

01/05/2021

Human lives are valuable, lockdown can help, say experts

Srinagar: As the government has imposed a lockdown, hopes have risen that the COVID-19 cases and deaths will decline as it would stop the movement of the virus.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The smart lockdown strategy has worked in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and other places one hopes it will work in Jammu and Kashmir also.”
He said, “The COVID cases and deaths are increasing at an alarming rate and this fact cannot be discounted. People will have to bear with the containment zones and lockdown till the situation improves and it cannot become better till the curve flattens.”
The expert said, “People, who are opposing the lockdown should bear it in mind that saving lives is more important than anything else, so they should stop cribbing about it.”
A medico said, “People who are vaccinated and are catching COVID are recovering fast as they don’t require hospitalization. The vaccination drive has been thrown open for all the adults and they should come forward to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 jabs are providing the much needed protection.”
He said, “If the lockdown strategy helps then the government should extend it as the hospitals are not in a position to take the burden. We are facing a shortage of beds and oxygen. These facts need to be bore in mind.”
A trader said, “Lockdown before Eid-ul-Azha means that we will once again lose business. But there is no other option we will have to bear the loss as human lives matter. And during Eid days rush in the market increases manifolds. This has to be taken care of. We are not in position to afford crowded market places as these can become COVID-19 hotspots.”
He said, “Last year also we suffered tremendous losses. It appears that this time also we are headed for the same. We can just pray for the pestilence to get over as nothing is in our hands. We need to take precautions and be careful to keep ourselves safe. This tough time will also pass.”
An official said, “For time being the lockdown will continue till Monday morning. After that situation will be reviewed if the need arises the lockdown could be extended.”
He said, “There is no shortage of oxygen as hospitals are equipped and the new plants have been set up to face any crisis or eventuality. The administration is monitoring the situation closely.”

Vaccine Wastage

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

01/05/2021

The government of J&K has placed an order for one crore twenty lakh doses for vaccination of 18 to 45 age-group. However, given the statement by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, it would be unlikely before a fortnight that J&K’s adults below 45 will get vaccinated against the virus.

There is a crisis of sorts as far as vaccine supply is concerned even as the union Health Ministry has reiterated that over one crore vaccines remain in stock with States. An additional 20 lakh would be made available to States and UTs in the next three days, the Ministry said. The Government of India has so far provided nearly 16.33 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs and as per the latest statement, the total consumption including wastage is 15,33,56,503 doses, the ministry said.

Of them, 23,81,840 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were received by Jammu and Kashmir April 29. Of which, 23, 16,567 have been used so far, leaving J&K with mere 65, 2,73 doses and most of them might have been used on April 30 itself.

In its operational guidelines on the vaccination, the Wastage Multiplier Factor had been calculated at 1.11 by the government, assuming an allowable programmatic wastage of 10%. This number is factored into how many vials are allocated to States or UTs for supply of vaccine to each administrative unit.

There are various reasons for the wastage and in unopened vaccine can occur due to reasons such as the vial reaching its destination after its expiry date or exposed to temperature above normal bounds or suspected contamination and poor vaccine administration practices. Primary reason though has been the non use of full vaccine within the timeframe. For example, each Covishield vial has 10 doses in total— each dose being 0.5 ml (for one person). Once opened, all doses have to be administered within four to six hours, otherwise, it goes waste and the remaining doses have to be discarded.

There is also a situation where the required number of people are available but when a vaccinator is not properly trained, he or she ends up drawing maybe only nine doses against ten.

In April J&K figured among states or UTs with wastage above the national mark of 6.5 per cent and as per central Ministry’s latest data, the wastage in J&K stands at 2.58 percent which in contemporary times is higher than the target of one percent or less set by the centre. Trained staff and mobilization of beneficiaries is important to prevent the wastage. The government needs to train administrators when exponential increase in vaccine demand is expected in the next few months.

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