Compliments J&K for 100% testing of travelers
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 28: Member, NITI AYOG, Government of India, Dr Vinod Kumar Paul, along with Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) New Delhi, Dr S K Singh, today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat regarding control measures being implemented by the administration to prevent Covid-19 virus in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Managing Director, NHM, Bhupinder Kumar, Managing Director, JKMSCL, Dr Yashpal Sharma, Director SKIMS Soura Srinagar, Principal GMC Srinagar, Director Health Services Kashmir and other senior officers of concerned departments were present in the meeting.
All the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory along with respective stakeholders attended the meeting through video conferencing from their respective headquarters and elaborately explained about the steps being taken up to control the pandemic besides day-to-day details of Covid patients, quarantine centres and Corona hospitals.

While reviewing the strategies and parameters followed by the health and districts administration to control Covid-19, the Member stressed upon the Deputy Commissioners to evolve an effective containment strategy for early detection of COVID cases for controlling the spread of corona virus.

They complimented J&K administration for 100 per cent testing of travelers who enter the Union Territory saying that the strategy could be followed by other States and UTs as model testing for travelers.

The Member and Director stressed upon the Deputy Commissioners to redesign red and containment zones so that spreading of infections of disease to other areas could be prevented. They asked them to take necessary steps to adopt rural strategy to control the infections in villages to contain the virus spread.

Dr Paul and Dr. Singh stressed upon the concerned authorities that the target to be set up for at least 15 people who contacted with any Covid positive patient should be tested in order to control the epidemic and help break the chain. They stressed upon them for strengthening of district level teams who deal with controlling the spread of corona virus outbreak besides asking them to take up the Covid cases of security forces with their concerned officers for timely treatment.

Meanwhile, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education presented Coffee Table Book to the Member and Director as memento.

4-month-old baby among 696 new cases, tally at 35831
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Aug 28: Eight more people died due to COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir since overnight, official sources said on Friday.
They said that all the fatalities were reported from the valley and include two residents each from Srinagar and Kulgam besides one each from Anantnag, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Pulwama.
A 62-year-old man from Saller Anantnag died at SKIMS Soura, six days after he was admitted to the tertiary care hospital, they said.
A 76-year-old man from Mehjoor Nagar died at SMHS hospital here, four days after he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with as “T2DM, AKD and bilateral CAP”.
A 64-year-old man from Dalgate Srinagar died at CD hospital, one among the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients. Having underlying ailments, the sexagenarian was admitted to the hospital on August 20, they said.
A 60-year-old woman from Guzarbal Ganderbal died at SKIMS Soura, a week after she was admitted to the hospital.
A 65-year-old man from Tangmarg Baramulla died at SMHS hospital, a day after he was admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia, they said.
A 78-year-old man from Tral Payeen having “sepsis with MODS” died at district hospital Pulwama during last night, the officials said.
Regarding victims from Kulgam, officials said that they included septuagenarians from Panzath and Mandhole areas respectively.
With these deaths, 683 people have fallen victims to the covid-19 and include 57 from Jammu division and remaining 626 from Kashmir Valley.

4-month-old baby among 696 new cases, tally at 35831
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir on Friday reported 696 new COVID -19 cases including 106 travelers, a month old baby and two others besides six soldiers and seven CRPF men, taking the tally to 35831.
Sources told GNS that among the cases, 202 were reported from Jammu Division while 494 from Kashmir Division.
Giving district wise breakup, they said, Srinagar reported 194 cases, Baramulla 40, Pulwama 57, Budgam 59, Anantnag 31, Bandipora 30, Kupwara 25, Kulgam 11, Shopian 9, Ganderbal 38, Jammu 109, Rajouri 8,
Kathua 27, Udhampur 23, Samba 9, Ramban 1, Doda 6, Poonch 8, Reasi 5 and Kishtwar 6.
A number of cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS diagnostic laboratories, they said.
The CD cases include four females (60, 40, 38, 10) and two males (05, 40) from Malangpora, male (50) from Awantipora, male (26) from Chanchmarg, male (45) and two females (35, 12) from Malik Gund, NA (06) from Malik Gund, male (NA) from Bandipora, male (NA) from Chadoora, female (NA) from Baramulla, female (27) from Rawalpora, female (35) from Bemina, male (35) from Gow Kadal, female (62) from Lal Bazar, female (45) from Srinagar, male (30) from Sanat Nagar, female (40) from Oori, female (50) from Moominabad Srinagar, female (22) and male (55) from Brein Nishat, male (77) Chattabal, female (35) from Bemina, female (65) from Kanipora, female (85) from Nawakadal, male (37) from Bemina, male (35) from Singpora BLA, two males (4M, 28) and two females (60, 32) from Buchpora Srg, male (75) from Hajin Bandipora, male (62) from Gow Kadal Srg, female (63) from Nasrullapora, female (16) and male (NA) from Arizal Budgam, female (NA) from Tengpora Srg, female (NA) from Srinagar, male (50) from Rampora Mattan, male (29) from Boniyar Baramulla, female (70) from Uri Baramulla, male (30) from Tangmarg Baramulla, female (60) from Panzoo, female (24) from Gunsoo, two females (45, 40) from Qasbi Yaar, male (28) from Litter, male (30) from Panzgam, male (23) from Soaf, male (22) from Latroo Ashmuqam, two males (35, 52) from Ashmuqam, female (NA) from Kairen Kupwara, male (70) from Soura, male (NA) and female (45) from Chanapora, two females (19, 18) and two males (18, 16) from Aglar, female (30) from Trenzz, three males (37, 24, 41) from Chanchmarg, male (32) from Borihalan, male (44) from Zewan Srg, female (65) from Buchpora Srinagar.
SKIMS Cases include male (60) from Shangus, male (60) from Kokernag, female (13) from Larnoo Anantnag, male (44) from Kokernag Anantnag.
The Srinagar ones include male (54) from Nowpora, female (32) from Lalbazar, female (30) from Mallabagh, female (36) from Alamgiri Bazar, female (40) from Baghi Mehtab, male (29) from SKIMS, male (02) from Bemina, female (32) from Illahibagh, male (26) and female (23) from Khanyar, female (13) from Hawal, female (26) from Saidakadal, male (35) from Illahibagh, female (40) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (40) from Batamaloo, female (52) from Chattabal, male (40) from Panthachowk, female (23) from Rainawari, female (70) from Hawal, male (60) from Rawalpora, female (60) from Elahibagh, female (35) from Chattabal, male (62) from Teilbal Srinagar.
The Bandipora cases include male (38) from Gurez Bandipora.
The Ganderbal cases include female (26) from Haran, female (44) and male (28) from Guzarpora, male (62) from Haran, female (30) from Fatehpora, female (66) from Manasbal, male (60) from Haran Ganderbal.
The Baramulla cases include male (32) from Waripora Baramulla.
The Budgam cases include female (32) from Nagam Chadoora, female (25) from Dalipora Nagam, male (65) and female (58) from Badipora, male (60) from Larkipora, male (68) from Wathoora Chadoora, female (50) from Panzipora Chadoora, female (40) from B K Pora Mochoowa, male (38) from Kanipora Khosa Bagh, male (46) from B K Pora Khosa Bagh, male (18) from Wagar, male (65) from Beerwah, female (34) from Najan, male (30) from Meeripora, male (57) from SDM Office, four males (31, 01, 32, 35) and female (28) from Chararisharief, male (46) from Ichigam, male (42) from Co: DTC Budgam.
The Kupwara cases include five males (36, 22, 36, 23, 25) from Zangli Kupwara, three females (25, 25, 18) from Baghbella, female (50) from Hajinar, female (45) from Nachiyan, male (30) from Kandi, female (45) and male (30) from Awoora, female (45) from Padergund Kupwara.
The BB Cantt cases include six males (31, 35, 40, 34, 25, 49) from BB Cantt Srinagar.
The CRPF cases include two males (43, 31) from 144 Bn Crpf Nehru Park Srg, two males (26, 30) from Gc Crpf Rambhagh Srg, three males (42, 30, 28) from 132 Bn Crpf Sanat Nagar Srinagar.

The CD cases include four females (60, 40, 38, 10) and two males (05, 40) from Malangpora, male (50) from Awantipora, male (26) from Chanchmarg, male (45) and two females (35, 12) from Malik Gund, NA (06) from Malik Gund, male (NA) from Bandipora, male (NA) from Chadoora, female (NA) from Baramulla, female (27) from Rawalpora, female (35) from Bemina, male (35) from Gow Kadal, female (62) from Lal Bazar, female (45) from Srinagar, male (30) from Sanat Nagar, female (40) from Oori, female (50) from Moominabad Srinagar, female (22) and male (55) from Brein Nishat, male (77) Chattabal, female (35) from Bemina, female (65) from Kanipora, female (85) from Nawakadal, male (37) from Bemina, male (35) from Singpora BLA, two males (4M, 28) and two females (60, 32) from Buchpora Srg, male (75) from Hajin Bandipora, male (62) from Gow Kadal Srg, female (63) from Nasrullapora, female (16) and male (NA) from Arizal Budgam, female (NA) from Tengpora Srg, female (NA) from Srinagar, male (50) from Rampora Mattan, male (29) from Boniyar Baramulla, female (70) from Uri Baramulla, male (30) from Tangmarg Baramulla, female (60) from Panzoo, female (24) from Gunsoo, two females (45, 40) from Qasbi Yaar, male (28) from Litter, male (30) from Panzgam, male (23) from Soaf, male (22) from Latroo Ashmuqam, two males (35, 52) from Ashmuqam, female (NA) from Kairen Kupwara, male (70) from Soura, male (NA) and female (45) from Chanapora, two females (19, 18) and two males (18, 16) from Aglar, female (30) from Trenzz, three males (37, 24, 41) from Chanchmarg, male (32) from Borihalan, male (44) from Zewan Srg, female (65) from Buchpora Srinagar.
Meanwhile, 651 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals including 195 from Jammu Division and 456 from Kashmir Valley.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 28: A two-member Central Team of Experts comprising of NITI Aayog Member (Health), Dr V.K. Paul and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Chief, Dr S.K. Singh, on its visit to Kashmir, to take stock of the overall COVID situation in the Valley, today called on the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at the Raj Bhavan.
The meeting was also attended by Sh. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam Chief Secretary; Sh. Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, and Sh. Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, NHM J&K.
The two-member team held a detailed review of the situation emerging in the valley due to COVID Pandemic with all the District teams and Tertiary care Hospitals.

While briefing the Lt Governor about the on-ground assessment of the situation made by them, the members of the team lauded the UT Government’s COVID containment and mitigation measures in place and suggested supplementary measures to further augment the same. They appreciated the J&K Government’s testing strategy, mandatory traveller screening, and Homecare model for positive asymptomatic patients. Testing strategy across the J&K is aggressive and robust and it has helped in containing the spread of the disease in the UT, they added.
In view of the impending winter season and sudden spike of positive cases in some districts of J&K, the team suggested a host of immediate measures including establishing 24×7 COVID Counseling Call Centres at Divisional levels with technical team; strengthening the Contact tracing mechanism with all contacts to be home quarantine until they test negative; Micro containment plan in cities with 100 % testing of all inhabitants with strict perimeter control; to strengthen the Referral system from peripheral hospitals to Tertiary care hospitals; involvement of PRI in rural areas for COVID control efforts; continuing the high testing trend and build on same and increasing High flow nasal cannula ( HFNC) inventory and keeping sufficient stock in stores.
The Lt Governor observed that all the important suggestions and recommendations made by the Central team will play an important role in comprehensive and effective management of the COVID-19 situation in J&K.
The Lt Governor called for heightened awareness to keep the infection low and immediate capacity augmentation, besides utilization of every available resource to arrest the mortality rate.
He asked the health functionaries to formulate comprehensive future management and containment strategy of COVID-19 pandemic in J&K. He stressed on carrying out intensive surveillance and testing, particularly in Red zones, and inviting renewed participation of PRIs, religious leaders and other distinguished personalities to spread awareness.
He called for sustained efforts from all the stakeholders for effectively combating the spread of COVID-19. Strict compliance of all healthcare protocols and SOPs notified by the Central and the UT Government must be ensured to mitigate the threat of the deadly virus, he maintained.
The Lt Governor laid special emphasis on ensuring 100% coverage of Aarogya Setu app and asked for its integration with ITIHAS system, to improve contact tracing and surveillance of positive cases and its geo-mapping must be done to predict hotspots.
He also directed for putting in place a robust mechanism and taking all requisite measures to ensure the safety of frontline COVID warriors including Doctors, paramedics, medical professionals and Security forces who are also at the high risk of catching the infection.
The team acknowledged that J&K has a vigorous 03 dimensional COVID containment strategy that is primary preventive, containment, and surveillance to arrest spread and management for reducing the mortality rate, which is playing an important role in effectively dealing with the COVID pandemic.
Various valuable suggestions were made during the meeting including setting up 24×7 Tele Medicine / e-Support Centres for providing support of senior Doctors, Clinicians and Community Medicine Professionals to the frontline medical professional working on ground; a similar, e-support system of medical professionals and psychologists for home care patients to avoid any mental and psychological fatigue to overcome the disease; improving the Ambulance response time for its immediate availability in rural and urban areas.

Suggestions were also made for providing continuous support to Districts teams from Medical Professionals such as Medical College Clinicians and Community Medicine Professionals for their handholding and better scientific management of COVID-19 situation in the districts.
The team also suggested for evolving scientific learning community, wherein each Medical College including SKIMS can provide necessary scientific handholding to a minimum of three districts with a constant flow of scientific information that would also prove to be helpful in mortality management.
For rural areas, suggestions were made for devising an institutionalized mechanism like Village Monitoring Committees including PRIs, Anganwadi workers and others for tracking incoming travellers and positives cases. Strengthening of IEC measures and revamping ICUs and utilization of the available resources to their full capacity was also suggested.

Tally zooms to 33,87500; death toll at 61,529

New Delhi, Aug 28: India has registered the tallest ever spike of 77,266 COVID-19 cases while 1,057 more lives claimed by the virus in the past 24 hours, Union Health Ministry update said on Friday.
With the new additions, the case tally zoomed to 33,87,500 while the death toll climbed to 61,529.
As per the official data, the number of active cases has also increased by 16032, and, now stand at 7,42,023 while recovered
at a total number of cured /discharged cases have now reached 25,83,948, after 60177 fresh recoveries were added since Thursday.
The recovery rate has now reached 76.28 per cent while the fatality rate stands at 1.82 per cent, the government data added.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in the past 24 hours, 9,01,338 samples were tested, taking the total tests done since the beginning to 3,94,77,848.
The case tally climbed to 7,33,568 in the worst-affected Maharashtra, while Tamil Nadu registered 4,03,242 cases and the the figure stood at 3,93,090 in Andhra Pradesh.
The death toll rose to 23,444 in Maharashtra, 6,948 in Tamil Nadu and 3,633 in Andhra Pradesh.
Globally, the United States remains the worst-infected, with more than 60 lakh cases, followed by Brazil.
The US also registered the highest contagion fatalities, followed by Brazil.
India, at the third spot in terms of infections and fourth in fatalities, registered the first case and death on January 31 and March 13, respectively.

Anantnag, Aug 28: A Covid-19 infected girl from Bangladesh went missing from a quarantine centre in Akura area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Sources told KNT that 18 year old girl had been brought to the hospital by Child Welfare Committee and after she tested  positive for COVID-19. She had been quarantined at Akura Anantnag.

In this regard Block Medical Officer Mattan Dr Saleem has written a letter vide number 1227-31 dated 26-8-2020 informing about the missing girl.

BMO Dr Saleem confirmed that the said girl is missing and a missing report has been lodged at police station. (KNT)

Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Aug 28: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national General Secretary Ram Madhav Friday termed the Gupkar declaration a mockup of Sheikh Abdullah’s Plebiscite front stating that the new move of National Conference and other regional parties was destined to fail as seen in the past.
Madhav stated this while holding deliberations with the party leaders, district presidents, and office bearers at Circuit House Srinagar. The BJP leader was on a two-day visit to Srinagar since Thursday.
Party leaders, who were present in the meeting told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Madhav while commenting on the recent political move by National Conference, PDP, CPI(M), Peoples Conference and other parties under the title of Gupkar declaration, as “a step quite similar to what Sheikh Abdullah did while in prison.”
“NC founder Sheikh Abdullah started Plebscite front from the prison. When he was released after serving 22 years in prison, he was given the post of Chief Ministership. He grabbed the post and headed the then State but forgot the Plebiscite front which he had floated to stay relevant,” a party leader quoted Madhav as having said in the meeting. “After Sheikh’s death, NC leaders raised the issue of autonomy. But when the party came into power, it overlooked autonomy and started enjoying the power.”
Madhav, according to the party leader, told the meeting that Gupkar declare is another political stunt by NC and other parties to stay relevant. “Article 370 rollback is irreversible and Gupkar declaration is destined to fail,” the BJP General Secretary told the meeting, as per the party leader, who was present. Pertinently, Gupkar declaration vows to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to J&K.
Sources privy to the meeting said that Madhav asked the party men to gear up for Panchyat elections that would be held within two months. “He also stated that District Development Council (DDC) elections will also be held for the first time soon and BJP must remain ready for that,” they said.
The sources also revealed to KNO that Madhav also stressed on the party workers to remain in touch with the people on ground level as the delimitation process was going on and when the exercise will complete, J&K will witness Assembly polls.
Madhav, sources said, directed the party leaders and workers to strengthen the party at levels and to reach out to people to listen to their grievances and take up the same with the Lieutenant Governor for immediate redressal. The BJP General Secretary also assured the party that “adequate security arrangements” will be put in place for the BJP workers and leaders facing threats from militants and safe accommodations will be provided to all those who are under threat.

Srinagar, Aug 28: Authorities imposed strict restrictions in commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas to disallow Muharram processions on Friday.

Official sources told GNS that the curbs were imposed in areas falling under eight police stations—Batamaloo, ShaheedGunj, Karanagar, Maisuma, Kothibagh, Shergrahi, Kralkhud and Ram Munshibagh.

Spools of concertina wires were spread on the roads to restrict the movement of vehicles, and to stop people from converging on the traditional routes for joint processions on 8th day of Muharram.

They said barricades were laid to block main roads in Batamaloo, Residency Road, Dalgate, Ram Munishbagh and Maisuma to prevent mourners from assembling in large numbers. All shops in the commercial hub of LalChowk remained closed due to the curbs.

Paramilitary forces and police also deployed buses, mobile bunkers and bullet-proof vehicles as barricades to cut off some areas.

Prior to 1990, on the 8th day of Muharram, Ashura procession would commence from ShaheedGunj area, pass through MA Road and later culminate at Imam Bara Dalgate. However, during the past 30 years, authorities have not allowed the processions, citing security reasons. For last several years, mourners have been defying the restrictions and tried to carry out the procession. However, police would buddle them into vehicles and release them later.

On Thursday last, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole said that restrictions shall continue on all religious processions and gatherings in all districts in wake of Covid-19.

He urged the heads of these bodies to use their influence and aware people about importance of following Covid-19 related SOPs including social distancing protocol and use of face masks while commemorating martyrdom of Imam Hussain A.S and other martyrs of Karbala during these days.

Agartala, Aug 28: A woman in Tripura allegedly killed her husband, buried his body in their bedroom and went to a police station to surrender, police said today.

The body of 30-year-old Sanjit Reang was recovered from his house on Thursday night. It was covered with mud, police sources added. The accused, Bharati Reang, 25, allegedly killed him Thursday afternoon, buried him and went to the police to confess to the crime.
Initial investigation shows the man was hit on the head with a heavy object, police added. An autopsy was conducted today.
The incident took place in a remote village in Gandacherra subdivision of Dhalai district, around 200km east of state capital Agartala, police said.
Police sources added that the accused has been taken into custody and after an initial questioning they said the motive for murder is not clear yet. The couple has a six-year-old girl. The incident has caused a stir in the area. (NDTV)

DSEK directs CEOs to get ready for examinations

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Aug 28:  The School Education department has directed the concerned officers to gear-up for the Term-II examinations of the elementary and high school students.

Top officials of the department said the Term-II examinations of these classes will be conducted like Term-I examinations were held.

It has been learnt that the directives were issued by Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Mohammad Younis Malik in a recent review meeting regarding the ongoing works in the department and the academic scenario during COVID-19 pandemic.

In the meeting, Malik has stated that the board examinations for classes 10th, 11th and 12th are tentatively scheduled to be in the month of November—directing the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to submit the details of the accommodation.

“All CEOs will have to submit the details of accommodation in various schools for which the format has already been circulated among them,” he said.

Malik in a meeting while responding to the queries regarding examination of classes 1 to 9 explained the modus operandi and asked the officers to get ready for the examination of T2 as was done in case of T1.

Last month, a number of elementary students couldn’t appear in the assessment exams due to lackadaisical approach of the School Education Department.

The Google classroom forum link created by the officials to hold online T-1 exams was not also fully functional for all the students even the website link created for students crashed several times due to heavy flow of the participants. (KNO)