Srinagar: Resurgence of COVID-19 has once again led to the closure of schools and has brought the night curfew back.
Experts have predicted that the ongoing second wave of Covid would peak by the end of this month and next two weeks are very crucial. The government had to close down the schools after these institutions turned into COVID-19 hotspots. Many students and teachers tested positive in the schools following which these institutions were shut.
An observer said, “The imposition of night curfew in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir is a step towards confining the movement of people 24×7. The COVID virus moves along with people. Restricting the movement for a few hours can help. Many countries that witnessed the second Covid wave did the same what the J&K Government has done. So there is nothing unusual about it.”
President of Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) and flu expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, said, “Given the pace of spread, it seems there is a mutant in circulation which is more infectious than the previous one. Opening up vaccination to young people quickly and thoroughly can prevent the mutant from gaining foothold.”
Another medico said, “The increase Covid cases signifies that the new variant has already infiltrated into Kashmir. We can’t remain in denial. Besides following the COVID sops, the vaccines can go a long way in fighting the virus.”
An official said, “At present people above 45-years of age are eligible for the COVID-19 jab. In coming days the inoculation process will be intensified. People are being made aware through different means about the importance of getting vaccinated. We are conducting surveys to ascertain how many people above 45 years have not taken the COVID-19 jabs. If the need arises getting vaccinated will be made mandatory.”
An expert said, “History stands testimony to the fact that the pandemics that broke out in the past were fought with vaccines which helped in developing herd immunity. Closing down schools, imposing night curfew are short term solutions. We cannot fight Covid by just remaining confined within four walls of our houses. For the past one year we have been playing hide and seek with the COVID-19. This game has to end. Life has to return to normal and for that masses have to get ready to fight the pestilence.”
He said, “We cannot hold the government responsible for resurgence of COVID-19. It’s a pandemic and it can be defeated through collective efforts. Blaming each other won’t help anyone’s cause.”
Can’t play hide and seek with Covid forever, say experts
5 militants killed in Shopian, Anantnag gunfights
Srinagar: The two overnight gunfights in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Anantnag districts ended with the killing of five militants and injuries to two soldiers, officials said on Sunday.
A police spokesman said three militants of Al-Badr outfit were killed in orchards of Reban Bandpawa area of Shopian.
He said that at about 1700 hours on Saturday, on a specific inputs, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 34RR and 178Bn CRPF in the area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of (militants) got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender. However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said in a statement, adding, “In the initial retaliatory firing, one (militant) was killed, but the operation was suspended to give the trapped (militants) another chance to surrender.”
The joint teams, he said, exercised maximum restraint and facilitated the presence of family members of a holed up militant Faisal Gulzar (14) to encounter site so as to persuade him to surrender. However, despite repeated appeals by his family members and assurances by the joint team, the other militants didn’t allow him to surrender.
“Ultimately in the wee hours, during the fierce gunfight both the trapped (militants) were killed and bodies of all the three killed (militants) were recovered from the site of encounter.” Two of them were identified as Aasif Ahmad Ganai and Faisal Gulzar Ganai both the residents of Chitragam Kalan. However, identity of the 3rd killed militant was being ascertained. As per police records, they were part of groups involved in many cases and linked with Al-Badr outfit.
“IGP Kashmir once again makes a fervent appeal to all misguided youth who have joined militant ranks to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents. He further said that we will welcome and accept them with open arms.”
The police spokesman said that arms and ammunition including one AK-56 rifle, two pistols and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter.
In another encounter, the spokesman said that on April 10 at about 1710 hours, acting on specific input regarding presence of militants in a residential house at village Semthan area of Bijbehara, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 3RR and 90Bn CRPF in the area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of (militants) got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said, adding, “The joint teams also rescued all the civilians trapped in the gunfire and halted the operation for the night.”
In the wee hours, after ensuring all the civilians are safe, the operation was resumed and both the militants were killed. They have been identified as Towseef Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Ramzan resident of Takia Maqbool Shah Bijbehara and Aamir Hussain Ganie son of Abdul Rashid of Goriwan Bijbehara, Anantnag linked with LeT.
“As per police records, Towseef was active since 2017 and Aamir had joined (militants) ranks in the year 2018. Both of them were wanted in many cases including the killing of an off-duty Territorial Army soldier Mohammad Saleem Akhoon who was killed by them near his home in Goriwan Bijbehara on Friday.” They were also wanted by law in Case FIR No. 07/2020 of PS Bijbehara regarding attack on CRPF party in which one CRPF trooper was killed, he said. (GNS)
Man shot dead in Budgam
Srinagar: A 35-year-old man was shot dead by gunmen in Mazahama area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district here on Sunday.
SSP Budgam, Tahir Saleem said that the militants fired upon the civilian, Nasir Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Mohammad Khan of Buchipora Magam.
He was shifted to nearby hospital for treatment where doctors declared him brought dead, the officer said.
Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers while a case has been registered.
12 militants killed within 72 hours: DGP
Srinagar: Twelve militants were killed in four separate gunfights within 72 hours belonged to Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), Al-Badr and Lashker-e-Toiba, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Sunday.
He said that while seven militants belonged to AGuH including the outfit’s chief, three were from Al-Badr and two from LeT/TRF.
Regarding two from LeT/TRF, he said that both were “hardcore local militants” and responsible for April 9 killing of a TA soldier at Bijbhera Anantnag. “They were active for long and wanted in many cases cases and were killed in Bijbhera gunfight,” he told GNS. With this, he said twelve militants were killed in four separate operations over the last 72 hours. “With the killing of seven AGuH militants at Tral and Shopian , the outfit has been fully eliminated. Three militants of Al Badr were killed at Hatipora Shopian.”
Army apprehends PaK man along LoC
Poonch: A 29-year-old man from Pakistan administered Kashmir was apprehended Army’s 19 Kumaon near Balakote along the Line of Control in Poonch on Sunday, officials said.
He has been identified as Ghulam Qadir of Gemba Nakyal in Kotle district of Pak, they said.
It was not immediately known if the man had inadvertently crossed or he crossed intentionally.
SSP Poonch Dr Vinod Kumar while confirmed the arrest told GNS that man was still in army’s custody and would be handed over to police. (GNS)
J&K reports 915 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths
By: Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar: A day after recording highest single day count of covid-19 cases this year, Jammu and Kashmir reported 915 fresh infections while five more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.
Among the fresh cases, 288 cases were reported from Jammu division and 627 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total tally to 138390. 915 fresh cases which include 156 travelers and 15 CRPF troopers besides five minors was the second highest jump in the daily cases reported this year in the J&K.
Regarding the fatalities, the officials told GNS that all five of them were reported from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall toll to 2034—1282 in the Valley and 752 from Jammu.
Giving district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 362 cases, Baramulla 111, Budgam 27, Pulwama 15, Kupwara 38, Anantnag 25, Bandipora 12, Ganderbal 8, Kulgam 15, Shopian 14, Jammu 192, Udhampur 3, Rajouri 4, Doda 8, Kathua 11, Samba 11, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 8, Ramban 3 and Reasi 48.
A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura, CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.
The SKIMS cases include male (30) from Shunglipora Khag, female (14) from Beerwah, female (23) from Watalpora, male (42) from Chattabugh, male (38) from Soibugh, female (35) from Charisharief, female (16) from Kumar Mohalla Budgam, female (22) from Futlipora, female (40) from Goigam, female (26) from Pinjoora Kunzer, female (45) from Near Cooperative Colony Peerbagh Srg, female (30) from Bada Mohalla Narkara Srg, male (70) from Kralpora Chadoora, male (71) from Baghat Barzulla, male (32) from Kultreth Chadoora, male (27) from Chanapora Srg, female (25) from Khanda Main Budgam, male (27) from Kralpora Main Budgam, male (26) from 44 Bn Crpf HMT Zainakote Srg, thirteen males (34, 36, 35, 43, 39, 39, 56, 48, 41, 35, 39, 48, 48) from 185 Bn Crpf Lethpora Pulwama, male (36) from 56 Rr Kalaroos Kupwara, male (NA) from Tulmula Ganderbal, male (19) from Tral, female (18) from Batpora, male (29) from Habak, two males (58, 27) and female (31) from Pehlipora Ganderbal, male (30) from Batapora, male (32) from Buchpora, male (21) from Shuhama Ganderbal, male (41) from Charwan Ganderbal, female (50) from Safapora, female (42) from Theru, female (29) from Karanagar Ganderbal, male (42) from Shopian, female (32) from Zrakan Shopian, female (33) from Raamnagri Shopian, male (40) from Bonagam Shopian, female (40) from Pinjoora Shopian, male (51) from Rafiaabad Baramulla, male (62) from Housing Colony Bemina Srg, female (50) from Bemina, male (32) from Bemina Colony, male (20) and female (18) from Bemina, male (36) from Eidgah Srg, female (16) from Tulinowpora Kulgam, male (30) from Airport Budgam, female (17) from Wave classes Srg, male (15) from Khanyar Srg, male (45) from Batmaloo, three females (42, 40, 40) from Bemina, male (30) from Hazratbal Srg, male (31) from Rawalpora, female (40) from Bemina, male (55) from Khanyar, male (48) from Natipora, female (37) from Khonmoh, three males (35, 03, 33) from Batmaloo, male (31) and female (58) from Chanapora, female (24) from Lal Mandi, two females (45, 20) from Natipora, male (35) from Bemina, female (30) from Mehjoor Nagar, female (29) from Batmaloo, female (55) from Natipora, male (24) from P C Deptt Srg, male (47) from Batmaloo, female (34) and male (03) from Saifullah Srg, male (37) from Baghat, female (24) from Alochibagh, male (21) from Batmaloo, female (55) from Baghi Mehtab, female (48) from Chanapora, male (30) from Batmaloo, male (27) from Hyderpora, male (36) from Nishat, female (30) and male (70) from Chanapora, male (16) and female (45) from Alochibagh, male (33) from Gupkar Srg, male (40) from Nehru Park Srg, female (36) from Khanyar, male (04) from Elahibagh, male (32) from Lal Bazar, female (NA) from Hawal, two females (18, 60) from Nowshera, male (39) from Lal Bazar, female (30) from Soura, male (65) from Umer Colony Srg, male (30) from Nowshera, male (34) from Soura Soura, female (NA) and four males (NA, 40, 60, 30) from Lal Bazar, female (35) from Hawal, female (49) from Eidgah Srg, male (35) and three females (60, 35, 10) from Hawal, male (28) from Kawdara, female (45) from Noorbagh, male (30) from Budgam, male (31) from Mujgund, male (80) from Lal Bazar, male (40) from Saderbal, female (18) from Umer Colony Srg, male (63) from Habak, female (21) from Proff. Colony Srg, male (25) from N Srinagar, female (27) from Harwan, male (60) from Zakura, male (50) from Burzahama, male (15) from Brain Nishat, female (NA) from Darbagh Harwan, male (20) and female (52) from Mallabagh Srg, male (55) from Nishat, female (NA) from Elahibagh, male (24) from NA Srinagar, eight males (22, 21, 20, 22, 21, 22, 28, 30) and three females (22, 19, 22) from N.I.T Srg, male (30) and female (29) from Hotel Fort View Srg, male (24) from Brain Srg, male (NA) from Nishat, male (73) from Kanitar, two females (54, 20) from Elahibagh Rangpora Srg, male (NA) from Habbak, female (67) from Elahibagh, male (33) from Harwan, female (45) from Zakura Srg, female (55) from Alochibagh, female (48) from Rambagh, male (64) and two females (35, 50) from Baghat, female (57) and male (63) from Wanabal Srg, male (25) from Lal Bazar, female (46) from Rawalpora, male (50) from Balgarden, female (32) from Chattabal, male (45) and female (20) from Batmaloo, female (14) from Eidgah, male (17) from Batmaloo, male (70) from Beerwah, male (28) from Batmaloo, male (60) from Baghi Mehtab, male (30) from Chattabal, female (28) from Batpora, two males (05, 27) and two females (35, 55) from Baghat, two males (23, 50) from Rambagh, female (18) from Bemina, female (24) from Qamarwari, male (28) from Eidgah Srg, male (22) from Nawakadal, male (40) from C/O Skims Srg, male (58) from Khayam, female (56) from Buchpora, two females (56, 65) from Elahibagh, female (33) and male (55) from Rawalpora, male (32) from Zakura, male (50) from Soura, two females (10, 55) from Nawakadal, male (12) from Rawalpora, male (27) from Amdakadal, female (16) from Pandach Ganderbal, female (50) from Gulabagh, male (60) from Hazratbal Srg, female (48) from Kralsangri Srg, male (29) from Chaar Srg, female (22) from Lal Bazar, female (39) from Nowhatta, male (62) from Saderbal, female (09) from Hawal, female (24) from Lal Bazar, female (25) from C/O Skims Srg, female (48) from New Srg, female (38) from Gulabagh, male (67) from C/O Skims Srg, female (33) from Boulevard, male (05) from Buchpora, male (28) from KU Srg, male (40) from Safapora, male (60) from New Khandah Pulwama, male (74) from Qamarwari, male (77) from Chattabal, male (60) from Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, male (45) from Nishat, female (64) from Alamgarib Srg and male (60) from Nowshera Srg.
The CD cases include female (47) from Pampore, female (29) from Sopore, male (22) from BB Cantt Srg, female (10) from Pampore, male (15) from Kadalbal Pampore, male (38) from Konibal Pulwama, male (12) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (40) from Sharshali, female (30) from Nowgam, female (68) from Rajpora, male (21) from Mugalpora Shopian, male (NA) from Islamabad, female (65) from Sonwar, female (70) from Hyderpora, male (24) from Barzulla, two females (13, 40) from HMT, male (34) from Rajouri Kadal, male (35) from Parraypora, male (40) from Srinagar, male (11) from Soura, female (19) from Shalimar, female (45) from Rawalpora, female (32) from Nowgam, male (22) from Srinagar, female (50) from Budgam, male (77) from Fatehkadal, male (60) from Srinagar, male (72) from NA, male (30) and female (30) from Zakura, female (21) from Barzulla, male (47) from Nishat, female (06) and male (30) from Nowgam, male (46) from NA, male (28) from Dalgate, five males (70, 80, 72, 75, 54) and female (70) from NA, two males (60, 18) from Rajbagh, male (36) from Fatehkadal, male (NA) from Srinagar, male (50) from Eidgah Srg, male (35) from Sidiq Lane, female (34) from Dalgate, female (36) from Panthachowk, male (60) from Anantnag, male (55) from Barzulla and male (26) from Kulgam.
The GMC Anantnag cases include two females (40, 80) from Bus Stand, male (22) from Dailgam, male (30) from KP Road, male (51) from New Qazibagh, male (32) from Bijbehara, male (33) from K B Pora, male (75) and female (55) from Barzulla, two males (34, 29) from Khanabal, male (78) from Checkpath, male (28) from Lowermunda, male (65) from Chittergull, male (28) from Khundroo, two males (55, 42) from B B Nowgam, female (35) from Manzgam, male (53) from Ahmedabad and male (59) from RNY Anantnag.
There are 7335 active cases—2332 in Jammu and 5003 in Kashmir, they added. (GNS)
India records 1,52,879 new cases, 839 deaths
New Delhi: India on Sunday reported 1,52,879 new cases of COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, the data by the Union Health Ministry stated on Thursday.
With this, the country’s overall Covid tally now stands at 1,33,58,805.
The death toll mounted to 1,69,275 with 839 more fatalities in the past day, highest in six months.
According to the Union Health Ministry, the active cases rose by 61,456 to stand at 11,08,087. It is now 8.29 per cent of the total caseload.
The past 24 hours saw 90,584 people recovering from the deadly virus, taking the total recovery count to 1,20,81,443, which is 90.44 per cent of the case tally. The fatality rate stood at 1.27 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 25,66,26,850 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 14,12,047 were tested in the past one day.
On the vaccination front, a total of 10,15,95,147 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 35,19,987 vaccinations administered in the past 24 hours.
Covid spike: India prohibits exports of Remdesivir
New Delhi: In wake of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, India on Sunday prohibited the exports of remdesivir injections and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation improves.
The decision was taken considering a sudden spike in demand for remdesivir, which is used in treatment of Covid-19 patients, a Health and Family Welfare Ministry statement said.
Noting India has 11.08 lakh active Covid cases as on Sunday amid an increasing trend, the Ministry said: “There is a potential of further increase in demand of injection remdesivir and remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in the coming days.”
“In light of the above increasing Covid cases, Government of India has prohibited the exports of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation improves.”
Seven Indian companies are producing injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, US. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.
In addition, the Central government has taken several steps to ensure easy access of hospital and patients to Remdesivir.
As part of its effort, it has advised all domestic manufactures of Remdesivir to display details of their stockists or distributors on their websites to facilitate access to the drug.
“Drugs inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing,” the Ministry said.
“The state Health Secretaries will review this with the Drug Inspectors of the respective states and Union Territories (UTs). The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir.”
The Centre has also advised states that the “National Clinical Management Protocol for Covid-19”, developed after many interactions by Committee of Experts, is the guiding document for treatment of Covid-19 patients and lists Remdesivir as an investigational therapy, where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines.
The states and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored.
Schools to remain closed till April 18
Srinagar: Amid continuing spike in the reported covid-19 cases, all schools in the Jammu and Kashmir upto 12th standard shall continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus and in-person education to the students till April 18, officials said on Sunday.
While schools upto 9th standard were already closed till April 18, others—10th to 12th—were shut last week till April 12.
“It is clarified that this order does not prohibit the conduct of any scheduled exam during this period by examination conducting body or institute subject to existing covid-19 norms of adequate social distancing and sanitization,” reads an order member secretary State executive Committee, a copy of which lies with GNS.
DAK seeks COVID-19 vaccination for young people
Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday urged authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to expand the vaccination roll out and include young people.
“Everyone above 18 years of age should be vaccinated against coronavirus,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
“While people over the age 45 are being vaccinated, it is time to relax the age limit as Covid-19 spread is on the rise among young people.”
“Kashmir is reeling under the grip of a second wave of Covid-19, with cases escalating at an unprecedented rate,” DAK President said.
“More young people are getting infected in this new wave.”
“This is because they are the ones who go out for work, socialize, and travel, which increases their chances of contracting the virus,” he said.
“And, many of them do not follow Covid appropriate behavior which facilitates the spread of the virus in the community.”
“Though severe cases mostly constitute elderly, young people are getting admitted in hospitals with severe bilateral pneumonia needing intensive care and some even ventilators,” Dr Nisar said.
“Not only will vaccine protect young people against Covid-19, but will also help achieve herd immunity which is when large enough proportion of the population is immune to the virus so that the virus no longer spreads easily from person to person.”
“The goal is unlikely to be achieved if young people, who constitute a huge portion of the population, are not vaccinated,” he said.
“And, if we leave a large number of the population unimmunized, we will not be able to break the chain of infection and the current wave will linger on.”
“Young people can take the virus home and give it to elder members in the family who are at high risk of complications, hospitalization and death,” said Dr Nisar.
“Vaccinating young will protect old people and other vulnerable groups that will help reduce the number of deaths in the community.”
“Given the pace of spread, it seems there is a mutant in circulation which is more infectious than the previous one,” he said.
“Opening up vaccination to young people quickly and thoroughly can prevent the mutant from gaining foothold,” he added.
