Home Blog Page 4220

3 more localities declared as micro-containment zones in Srinagar

Srinagar: The authorities on Tuesday declared three more localities of Hazratbal and SR Gunj areas of Srinagar as micro-containment zones in view of detection of fresh Covid-19 cases.

In an order, the Srinagar admin said that 3 more localities of Hazratbal and SR Gunj have been declared as Covid-19 containment zones to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The areas which have been declared as containment zones include Saderbal near Masjid Amir Hanfia,  Braripora Sekidafar and Malikyar Fateh Kadal.

Officials said that these areas have at least 15 active cases of Covid-19 and to prevent the further spread of the virus, these localities have been declared as micro-containment zones.

Covid-19: GMC Bla suspends OPDs, routine surgeries for two weeks

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Baramulla: In wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases, the authorities in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district Tuesday ordered the closure of Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and routine surgeries at Government Medical College for two weeks.

An order reads that in view of the surge of Covid-19 (2 wave), the Administration of Govt. Medical College Baramulla and its Associated Hospital has decided that all the OPDs except Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and all routine surgeries except emergency and Gynecological shall be suspended for a period of two weeks.

Notably, Baramulla district today reported a total of 136 COVID-19 positive cases taking the total toll of active cases to 1128 with 184 deaths so far in the district—(KNO)

108 ambulances serving JK people during Covid

Jammu: In the wake of COVID-19, the Jammu and Kashmir government has put into service 108 ambulances to facilitate the people round the clock.

As per an official spokesperson, till date 1653 Covid suspects have been shifted to hospitals for treatment and lives of 4350 COVID patients  have been saved.  Adequate ambulances have been deployed in every district of the UT to evacuate Covid patients  to nearby designated COVID Health Institutions. These ambulances are  having  essential drugs to deal with any medical emergency and are fitted with critical life saving  equipments like Transport Ventilator, Monitors, Defibrillator and most importantly  Oxygen Delivery System (ODS) with specialized stretchers for shifting critical patients.

Besides, trained Emergency Technicians (EMT)s monitor the vitals of the patient and provide pre hospital care to the patients in the ambulance and these EMTs are in constant touch with Emergency Response Physicians (ERCP) sitting in the call centre who guide the EMTs as per the condition of the patient till he/she is admitted safely in the Hospital.

Pertinently, Jammu & Kashmir Emergency Medical Services (108-102 Ambulance Service) is an initiative of the Government in Public Private Partnership  with BVG India Limited, which is a free of cost service  for the general public. This programme was launched in the UT of J&K on 24th March 2020 under which 139 ambulances have been stationed across the UT. Since the launch of this programme, 54396 emergency patients have been shifted to various Health Institutions.

The authorities have appealed the general public to take full advantage of this free of cost service by contacting at Toll Free number 108.

Mishra’s four-wicket haul powers DC to win over MI

Chennai: Leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s four wickets for 24 runs helped Delhi Capitals (DC) ease to a six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in an Indian Premier League match here at the M A Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday night.

The win put DC second on the points table, just behind Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). While both teams have six points, RCB is ahead on net run rate.

Mishra’s haul helped DC restrict MI to 137/9 in 20 overs. It was a total that was too low for MI to defend as Shikhar Dhawan’s 45 (42 balls, 5x4s, 1×6) and Steve Smith’s 33 (29 balls, 4x4s) stabilised DC innings after the early loss of Prithvi Shaw.

Dhawan and Smith added 53 for the second wicket before the India left-hander was joined in by Lalit Yadav (22 off 25 balls). The two Delhi lads added 36 for the third wicket to put DC on track.

The MI bowlers, who conceded three no-balls in the last two overs, tried hard to make a match of it and took the match till the last over but the batting failure weighed heavily on them.

The MI batsmen were, earlier, looking good but the advent of Mishra saw them lose track.

The leg-spinner, who is playing his second game of this season, removed skipper Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, both caught in the deep as well as Ishan Kishan, who was bowled and Kieron Pollard, who was out leg-before wicket.

MI, who lost Quinton de Kock early to Marcus Stoinis, were looking good at one stage as Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav added 58 for the second wicket. However, Yadav’s dismissal off the bowling of Avesh Khan triggered a collapse.

Mishra then got into the act as MI lost four wickets, including three to Mishra, while adding just eight runs. Both Sharma and Hardik fell in the space of three balls.

Krunal Pandya was bowled by off-spinner Lalit Yadav.

The wickets pegged MI back as they tried to stage some recovery with Kishan and Jayant Yadav. However, Mishra removed Kishan, yorking him, and soon Jayant was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada.

While Mishra took four wickets, pace bowler Avesh took two for 15 in two overs while Rabada and Lalit Yadav picked a wicket each.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 137/9 in 20 overs (R Sharma 44, I Kishan 26, S Yadav 24, A Mishra 4/24, A Khan 2/15) lost to Delhi Capitals 138/4 in 19.1 overs (S Dhawan 45, S Smith 33, L Yadav 22 not out, S Hetmyer 14 not out)

Oxygen stocks to last only next 8-12 hrs in many Delhi hospitals: Sisodia

New Delhi: Amid surge in Covid-19 cases, concerns over oxygen supply for coronavirus patients continued in the national capital on Tuesday, with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia flagging the urgent need in both government and private hospitals across the city.

Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s nodal minister for Covid-19 management, said he is getting calls from all several hospitals regarding shortage of oxygen and many of them need supplies immediately.

“In many hospitals in Delhi, oxygen is available till only next 8-12 hours. We have been demanding for one week to increase the oxygen supply quota to Delhi, which the Central government has to do. If oxygen does not reach the hospitals in sufficient quantity by tomorrow morning, there will be an outcry,” Sisodia said in a tweet.

Late on Tuesday, the Chief Minister’s Officesaid: “We (Delhi Govt) are responding to the below query, that 241 MT of oxygen was supplied to Delhi on Monday and 355.33 MT on Tuesday (upto 3 p.m.) by five manufacturers, and the total stock of oxygen in the city’s hospitals upto 3 p.m. on Tuesday was 508 MT.”

Sisodia also shared the list of some government and private hospitals with the period for which they have oxygen supply.

Among government hospitals, DDU Hospital has 12 hours supply, the Burari Hospital and Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital for 8 hours, Ambedkar Hospital for 24 hours, the Acharya Bikshu Hospital for 10-12 hrs.

Amid private hospitals, the B.L. Kapoor Hospital has 8-10 hours supply, the Stephen Hospital for 12-15 hours, Max Patparganj for 10 hours and the Maharaja Agrasen for 5 hours.

On Tuesday, the city recorded another massive surge in new Covid cases at 28,395, the highest single-day spike so far while there were 277 deaths.

Avoiding Inevitable

With every passing day, the covid-19 situation is getting worse in Jammu and Kashmir. Rather it is threatening to force the government to take the course already adopted by some states, including Maharashtra and New Delhi—which have enforced strict covid-19 lockdown. Delhi will be under a week’s lockdown immediately. Strict restrictions have been imposed already in Maharashtra and experts are calling for a 15-day self-imposed lockdown in Gujarat while Rajasthan government has ordered “Jan Anushasan Pakhwada” (public discipline fortnight)—wherein only shops and offices providing essential services will open during the 15-day period.

The situation, admitted to be “challenging” by top officers, has already forced the government to order closure of all education institutes till May 15. Public gatherings have been restricted to 20 in case of funerals, 50 for all kinds of gatherings at indoor venues and 100 for all kinds of assemblies at outdoor venues.

The government has asked deputy commissioners to put in place an effective mechanism to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour in all crowded markets, shopping complexes and malls, besides take stern action against the violators. The situation is different from last year. The beds in hospitals in contemporary time are filled up by the patients requiring immediate attention rather than everyone contracting the infection irrespective of the severity last year. The cases keep rising relentlessly and threaten to soon overwhelm the entire bed capacity in the hospitals. The measures adopted by the J&K government now stand exhausted by states and UTs forced to go for lockdown. It seems that authorities are wasting time while tinkering with restrictions of differing severity. In between people are allowed to mix  up and in other words, the virus is given a free run. While it is true that most people have started to wear masks, it’s adherence by all remains distant and practically unviable. People, even health workers, continue to be reluctant to take the vaccine. Besides dispelling hesitancy, the government needs to do more to increase vaccination rates when the Union Health Ministry has announced that everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to get a vaccine against Covid-19 from May 1.

The present measures though in right earnest may not be enough to actually drive new cases down. The government should take some strict measures including interstate controls especially when it is reluctant to make negative coronavirus tests to enter J&K mandatory.

In 8-days, Srinagar records over 3000 COVID-19 cases

By: Gul Owais
Srinagar: The deadly COVID-19 has yet again started haunting the people in Jammu and Kashmir while Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory has recorded over 3000 positive cases in last eight days.

According to the figures available with Precious Kashmir, a total of 3161 cases have been recorded in last eight days in Srinagar while the highest cases in these days were recorded yesterday (Sunday) with 520 cases.

From April 12-April 19, the Srinagar has recorded a huge spike in the cases with the number of cases recording constant increase almost every day.

On April 12, Srinagar recorded 303 positive cases while 423 cases were recorded on April 13. As per the figure, a total of 388 positive cases were recorded on April 14 while 418 and 407 COVID positive cases were recorded in Srinagar on April 15 and 15 respectively.

In the last three days, the summer capital has recorded over 1200 cases while highest number of cases was detected on Sunday (April 18).

On April 17, Srinagar recorded 319 positive cases while on April 18 and 19, 520 and 383 positive cases respectively have been detected in the summer capital.

However, amid huge spike in COVID-19 cases, the district administration has taken a series of preventive measures including going ahead with the mass testing of people at public places to ensure the early detection of cases and prevent the virus from spreading any further.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad said that the people have been complying the orders vis-à-vis COVID guidelines especially wearing the face masks.

He, however, said that a strict action will be initiated against the people who are found violating the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) set by the government and health experts in a bid to prevent the cases from spreading.

The DC also stated that the adequate beds and oxygen supply is available within the district and there was no shortage of any facility at all.

60-yr old Govt school functions from 3 rented rooms in Bijbehara village  

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: Government Middle School Taqiabal in education zone Bijbehara in this southern district paints a grim picture of Education Department.

Established in 1960 as primary school and upgraded as middle school in 2008 under the central sponsored scheme, SSA, the school continues to function from a rented accommodation with just three rooms for nine classes.

The condition of classrooms in the old and dilapidated building is too unhygienic to be used for accommodation of the children.

The mud plastered walls of the classrooms have suffered cracks while as the unhygienic floor of classrooms is breeding germs and insects.

The school also does not have toilet and water facility forcing the students to defecate in open.

Teachers posted in the school said that the unhygienic floors of classrooms breed all kinds of insects which often create panic among the children.

“The unhygienic conditions of classrooms with no ventilation may also tell upon the health of small kids. Our female teachers go to a nearby house to use washroom which is highly ironical,” a teacher told Precious Kashmir.

Non-availability of classrooms, locals complained is forcing the teachers to teach only upper primary classes on rainy days. “On sunny days teachers manage to handle all the classes using the small school premises but on rainy days it is not possible for them to accomodate all the classes,” said a local Abdul Rashid adding ‘Since we know the condition of the rented school building we too can not argue with teachers when they teach only half of classes in case of rains’.

Locals rued that the top authorities of the education department have failed to construct the building for the school despite demarcation of the land for the purpose twice by the district admin.

“It is the 60 year old school in the village. Despite our repeated representations to the authorities in last several years to sanction the building for the school, nothing has been done,” locals complained.

A local resident whose kid studies in the school said that besides locals, some  teachers posted in the school also have been knocking the doors of the top authorities of the education and district admin with the plea to sanction the building for the school but they too are now disappointed.

Though the process for the identification of the land, he said, due to efforts of the local teachers had made some progress last year but nothing happened later.

“Even the land was demarcated for school and further process initiated but then the entire process suddenly came to halt. One wonders if the education really is any priority for authorities,” a local questioned. Mohammad Yunus Malik who was heading the school education department, Kashmir, did not attend repeated calls from Precious Kashmir for at least three days till he was transferred on Sunday.

According to locals, Malik had strongly recommended the case of the school during his tenure as ADC Anantnag but failed to pursue the case seriously as director education.

However, chief education officer (CEO), Anantnag, Mr Shad said that he will look into the matter after seeking details from the ZEO concerned.

All adults eligible for Covid jab from May 1

New Delhi: The Union Government on Monday announced that everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to get a vaccine against Covid-19 from May 1. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The Government has been working hard for over a year to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible time. India is vaccinating people at world record pace and we will continue this with even greater momentum,” Modi said.

The government claimed that pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines are being made flexible in Phase 3 of the world’s largest vaccination drive.

“India’s National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy has been built on a systematic and strategic end-to-end approach, proactively building capacity across R&D, manufacturing and administration since April 2020. While pushing for scale and speed, it has simultaneously been anchored in the stability necessary to sustainably execute the World’s Largest Vaccination Drive,” the government said.

In phase 3 of the vaccination drive, vaccine manufacturers would supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the Government of India (GoI) and would be free to supply the remaining 50 per cent doses to the state government and in the open market.

Manufacturers would have to make transparently an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to State Governments and in the open market, before May 1.

“Based on this price, State governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments would be able to procure vaccine doses from the manufacturers. Private Hospitals would have to procure their supplies of Covid-19 vaccine exclusively from the 50 per cent supply earmarked for other than GoI channel,” the government said.

Private Vaccination providers shall transparently declare their self-set vaccination price and the eligibility through this channel would be opened up to all adults, above the age of 18.

Vaccination will continue to be provided free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier which include Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age at Government of India (GoI) vaccination centres.

All vaccination Awould be part of the National Vaccination Programme, and mandated to follow all protocol such as being captured on CoWIN platform, linked to AEFI reporting and all other prescribed norms. Stocks and price per vaccination applicable in all vaccination centres will also have to be reported real-time.

The division of vaccine supply 50 per cent to Centre and 50 per cent to other than GoI channel would be applicable uniformly across for all vaccines manufactured in the country. The GoI, however, will allow the imported fully ready to use vaccines to be entirely utilised in the other than Govt. of India channel.

The Union government from its share, will allocate vaccines to States/UTs based on the criteria of extent of infection (number of active Covid cases) and performance (speed of administration).

“Wastage of vaccine will also be considered in this criteria and will affect the criteria negatively. Based on the above criteria, State-wise quota would be decided and communicated to the States adequately in advance,” the Government said.

The second dose of all existing priority groups i.e. HCWs, FLWs and population above 45 years, wherever it has become due, would be given priority, for which a specific and focused strategy would be communicated to all stakeholders.

Vaccine manufacturers are also incentivized to further scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players.

 

COVID-19: J&K reports 1516 new cases, 6 deaths

0

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1516 new covid-19 cases, second highest so far, even as six more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

They said 768 of these cases were reported from Jammu Division and 748 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall case tally to 148208.

Providing district wise details of the cases which includes 231 travelers and 30 security forces personnel, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 383 cases, Baramulla 110, Budgam 46, Pulwama 29, Kupwara 36, Anantnag  48, Bandipora 14, Ganderbal 31, Kulgam 47, Shopian 4, Jammu 451, Udhampur 81, Rajouri 34, Doda 8, Kathua 38, Samba 33, Kishtwar 4, Poonch 4, Ramban 13and Reasi 102.

Regarding the fatalities, they said two were reported from Jammu Division and four from Kashmir Valley, taking the death toll to 2063. The victims from Valley include 65-year-old man from New Market, Mattan     Anantnag, 75-year-old man  Ashpora Kupwara, 60-year-old  man from Dadsara Pulwama and

43-year-old woman from Fateh Kadal Srinagar.

The number of active cases also raced to 12164—4813 in Jammu division and 7351 in Kashmir Valley, they said.

Moreover, they said, 813 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—207 from Jammu Division and 606 from Kashmir, they said.

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

The CD cases include female (25) and male (45) from Nowpora, female (35) from Gulabagh, male (28) from Machama, male (35) from Tral, female (21) from Khanjinag, six males (20, 24, 45, 20, 23, 22) and two females (45, 45) from Amlar, three females (20, 20, 20) from Women’s College Pul, male (35) from New Colony Pul, male (62) from Trichal Pul, five males (45, 76, 23, 55, 02) and two females (49, 22) from Saidapora Pul, two males (52, 46) from Alochibagh, two females (45, 45) from Baghi Mehtab, male (40) from Shalteng, male (75) from Bota Kadal, female (45) from HMT, female (45) from Hyderpora, female (42) and male (45) from Batmaloo, female (18) from Rajbagh, male (40) from Wanbal, two males (29, 26) from Natipora, male (28) from Batmaloo, male (52) from Rambagh, male (70) from Baghi Mehtab, female (32) from Eidgah, four females (50, 30, 33, 01) from Alochibagh, female (40) from Batmaloo, female (60) from Qamarwari, male (58) from Lakashman Pora, male (39) from Dalgate, two males (38, 21) and female (18) from Jawahar Nagar, male (38) from HMT, male (27) and female (22) from Baghat, two females (22, 28) from Chanapora, male (50) from Jawahar Nagar, male (50) from Qamarwari, female (42) from Alochibagh, male (43) from Chtra Shah, male (45) from Rawalpora, female (28) from Natipora, male (75) from Tangapora, female (21) from Chattabal, male (40) from Rawalpora, male (35) from Chanapora, female (34) from Tengpora, female (39) from Batmaloo, female (52) from Chanapora, two females (51, 40) and male (16) from Alochibagh, female (29) from Batmaloo, male (46) from Illahibagh, female (25) from Soura, male (63) from Badshah Nagar, male (30) from Hyderpora, female (23) from Safakadal, male (40) from Baghi Mehtab, male (55) from Chattabal, male (39) from UPHC Batmaloo, male (NA) from Chattabal, male (NA) from Eidgah, two males (NA, NA) from Nawakadal, male (NA) from Shaheen Mohalla, male (NA) from Jamallata, female (20) from Women College Pul, female (34) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (48) and male (51) from Ratnipora, male (53) from Kadlabal Pampore, male (31) from CSR Galandar, male (65) from Achgoza, male (18) from Uzrampathri, male (34) from Sanatnagar, female (55) from Alochibagh, two females (40, 13) from Baghat, male (50) and two females (43, 16) from Chattabal, female (50) from Barzulla, male (51) from Bemina, female (55) from Barzulla, male (30) from Bemina, two females (55, 08) and male (08) from Batmaloo, male (26) and female (45) from Chanapora, female (22) from Karan Nagar, male (30) from Qamarwari, two females (35, 05) from Shalteng, male (45) from Natipora, male (55) from Batmaloo, female (38) from Alochibagh, two females (45, 28) from Chanapora, female (21) from Shaheed Gunj, male (50) from Chattabal, male (30) from Bemina, female (14) and male (27) from Chanapora, female (45) from Rawalpora, female (26) from Safakadal, two males (80, 21) and female (68) from Jawahar Nagar, male (11) from BB Cantt Srg, male (35) from Narbal, female (31) from Payer, male (70) from Pulwama, male (70) from Nowgam, female (38) from Barzulla, male (22) from Zewan, female (48) from Eidgah, male (55) and two females (50, 21) from Habba Kadal, two males (60, 20) and female (40) from Baghat, female (58) from Habba Kadal, male (53) from Hyderpora, two males (53, 17) from Chattabal, male (55) from Eidgah, male (27) from Alochibagh, female (58) from Rawalpora, male (48) and female (80) from Rainawari, male (57) from Chanapora, female (62) from Khanyar, female (40) from Nowgam, male (69) from Brane Srg, female (50) from Natipora, male (55) from Tangmarg Baramulla, female (50) from Bemina, male (30) from Srinagar, male (23) from GMC Boys Hostel Srinagar.

The SKIMS cases include female (22) and male (65) from Kherigund Budgam, female (51) from Wazirbagh, male (24) from Nagam Budgam, female (30) from Panzyara Khag Budgam, two females (24, 65) from Cc Pora Beerwah, female (30) from Iskanderpora, female (18) from Beerwah Budgam, female (25) from Sdh Beerwah, female (30) from Pethkoot Beerwah, male (38) and female (35) from Bonzanigam Budgam, two females (30, 28) from Beerwah Budgam, two females (18, 15) from Soibugh, male (34) from Wussan, female (45) and two males (50, 45) from Chadoora, three males (50, 29, 42) from Chadoora, male (50) from 144 Bn Crpf Darbar Hotel Srg, six males (30, 36, 45, 55, 36, 31) from 23 Bn Crpf Karan Nagar Srg, two males (34, 35) from 144 Bn Crpf Darbar Hotel Srg, female (28) from 428 Fh Vajr Mir Kup, male (34) from 56 RR Kalaroos Kup, male (55) from 61 Bn Crpf Shivpora Srg, male (34) from 21 Bn Crpf Metro Hotel Srg, two males (32, 50) from 132 Bn Crpf Shanat Nagar Srg, eleven males (28, 40, 38, 26, 45, 48, 33, 30, 46, 34, 41) from 115 Bn Crpf Zakoora Srg, two males (37, 45) from 23 Bn Crpf Karan Nagar Srg, NA (NA) from 25 Bn Crpf Humhama Budgam, female (21) and male (47) from Ranger Mohalla Ganderbal, female (38) from Ss Manasbal Ganderbal, female (27) from Lal Bazar, female (42) from Soura, male (60) from Buchpora, male (63) from Rawalpora, male (50) from Batpora, three males (25, 20, 14) from Ahmadnagar, female (30) from Baghat, male (52) from Gulab Bagh, male (62) from Brane, male (38) from Delina Anantnag, male (48) from Nigeen Srg, male (50) from Umerabad HMT Srinagar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (14) and male (10) from Thokerpora Pul, male (25) from Chewakalan, female (35) from Babhar, male (21) from Mughal Pora Shopian, female (35) from Kandizal Pul, three males (39, 17, 20) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (10) from NA, female (38) from Nehama Pul, male (26) from Ladhoo, male (45) from Namlabal Pampore, male (19) from Balhama, male (74) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (47) from Rawalpora, male (65) and female (60) from Panthachowk, female (45) from Banvie Anantnag, male (25) from Anchidora Ang, male (31) from Gulshan Abad, female (38) from Nainal Ang, female (62) from Nowshera Srg, male (14) from Mattan Ang, male (09) from Wanpoh Ang, two females (52, 33) from Bakshiabad Ang, male (58) from Naibasti Ang, male (62) and female (60) from Shivpora Bala Ang, male (40) and female (39) from Ganjiwara Ang, male (42) from Sarnal Anantnag, female (38) from S.K Colony Ang, male (20) from Shamsipora. (GNS)