Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Aug 16: Kashmir reported twelve more covid-19 related deaths since overnight, taking the fatality count due to the virus past 500 mark in the Valley and overall 544 in J&K.
Among the deaths, Pulwama reported four, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam two each besides one each in Shopian and Anantnag.
Regarding the deaths from Ganderbal, they said, the victims include a 75-year-old man from Wakura and his age mate from Kogund sehpora Tulmulla. “Both of them died in SKIMS Soura,” officials said.
Regarding man from Wakura, official sources told GNS that he was admitted as a case of bilateral community acquired bilateral pneumonia, hypertension, Hypothyroid and BHP.
An 80-year-old man from Kakapora Pulwama, who was referred from SMHS hospital as a case of covid 19 with pneumonia “with hypoxic respiratory encephalopathy with AKI” died at CD hospital here.
“He was also known case of Hypothyroidism. He was managed with oxygen, bronchodilators, nebulisation and i/v antibiotics,” at doctor at CD hospital said, adding, “The patient had sudden cardiopulmonary arrest and was declared dead at 12:05 p.m. today.” Among other fatalities from Pulwama include a 65-year-old woman from Tulbagh Pampore who died at SMHS hospital and a 65-year-old woman from Frestbal.
A 65-year-old woman from Narbal having “bilateral pneumonia” died at 5:30 a.m. at SMHS hospital here, officials said. Regarding other deaths, the patients had underlying ailments and died at different hospitals in the Valley.
Regarding another death from Srinagar, they said, the victim was a 70-year-old from Alamgiri Bazaar, Srinagar. “He was admitted to SKIMS Soura on August 5 and died at 6:15 a.m. today,” a doctor at the tertiary care hospital said. “He was suffering from HTN, T2DM, Hypothyroidism with COPD and bilateral community Acquired Pneumonia.”
Regarding the death from Anantnag, they said, the 55-year-old woman from Laripora Pahalgam who was admitted on July 19 died at August 15 night a11.15 p.m.
“She was diagnosed with CA Esophagus with Severe pneumonia and other ailments,” the doctor said.
A 55-year-old man of Garindkhurd Budgam, who was admitted on August 15 died at 6.a.m. today, the doctor said
“The man had CA (Lung). His sampling was done in medical emergency and patient expired there.

Results of covid-19 came positive later,” he added.
With these deaths, officials said, 544 people have succumbed to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir so far—503 from the Valley and 41 from Jammu division.
Srinagar district with 173 deaths tops the list followed by Baramulla (88), Budgam (40), Anantnag (38), Kulgam (31), Pulwama (40), Kupwara (34), Shopian (25), Jammu (29), Bandipora (20), Ganderbal (14), Rajouri (3), two each in Doda, Poonch and Udhampur besides one each in Ramban, Samba, and Kathua.

PM, Modi, LG Sinha, others express grief

Lucknow, Aug 16: Former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh Home Guard Minister Chetan Chauhan, who was detected COVID-19 positive last month, died at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Sunday, following the multiple organ failure. He was 73.

The former Test opener was critical on Saturday and was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram from the Sanjay Gandhi PGI Hospital (SGPGI) here.
The UP Minister was admitted to the ICU on life support system, after failure of his kidney and other organs. He breathed his last on Sunday afternoon, his family members confirmed. He is survived by wife Anita and a son.
Chauhan was detected Corona positive on July 11 and was being treated at the SGPGI.
He is the second minister of the Yogi Adityanath government, to die due to Novel Coronavirus. On August 2, State Technical Education Minister Kamla Rani died at the SGPGI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over Chauhan’s demise.
“Shri Chetan Chauhan Ji distinguished himself as a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthening the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.
Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the demise of Chetan Chauhan.
In a statement, the Lt Governor said, “I am saddened to learn about the demise of Chetan Chauhan ji. May the Almighty grant eternal peace to his noble soul. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers”.
An inspirational figure and a role model for many, Chetan Chauhan ji will always be remembered for his services to the Nation. His demise is a great loss to the Cricket and the Political fraternity, the Lt Governor added.

UP Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several other leaders also expressed their grief on Chauhan’s demise.

New Delhi, Aug 16: As many as 944 more people died of COVID-19 across the country during the last 24 hours, thus taking the death toll to 49,980. Total number of people infected by the virus stand at 25,89,682, the Union Health Ministry’s update said this morning.
A total of 2,93,09,703 samples have been tested for COVID as per the Indian Council of Medical Research till Saturday.
However, the active cases of the contagion are now at 6,77,444 across the country, as per government data.

New Delhi, Aug 16: India’s COVID recovery rate on Sunday improved to 71.91 per cent, after the country recorded 53,322 cured/discharged cases during the past 24 hours, with total recoveries crossing 18 lakh.
According to the Union Health Ministry, 18,62,258 persons have so far defeated the virus across the country.
However, the active cases of the contagion are now at 6,77,444 across the country, as per government data.
After 944 people reportedly losing their battle to the contagion in the past 24 hours, fatalities in India due to COVID till date across the country have increased to 49,980.
The death percentage presently stands at 1.93 per cent, as per government data.
On the brighter side, the recovered cases have exceeded the active cases by 11,84,814.
A total of 2,93,09,703 samples have been tested for COVID as per the Indian Council of Medical Research till Saturday.

Srinagar, Aug 16: High-speed mobile Internet services were restored on a trial basis in one district each in Kashmir and Jammu regions over a year after the facility was suspended.
The resumption of 4G Internet services on mobile devices came days after the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that a special committee looking into the matter was considering allowing the facility on a trial basis in two districts of the Union Territory.
According to the order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, the high-speed mobile data services will be restored in Ganderbal district of Kashmir and Udhampur of Jammu region with immediate effect.
The order shall remain valid till September 8 next month, it said.
The order said that high-speed Internet will be provided to post-paid subscribers while pre-paid customers would be able to enjoy the benefit of the services only after completing the verification process.
The rest of Jammu and Kashmir will enjoy only 2G services.
Internet services were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir before the Centre’s announcement on August 5 last year that the special status of the state would be abrogated and it would be split into two Union Territories.
Later, low-speed Internet services were restored in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Aug 16: Very less number of devotees visited the shrines, Gurdwaras and Churches in Srinagar on Sunday, first day after the worship places reopened nearly after six months.
A very few people were seen offering prayers at the shrines . The management of these shrines said they have made all arrangements to adopt SOPs and other directives issued by the administration to prevent spread of coronavirus.
A resident told UNI from Charar-e-Sharief that shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali remained closed even today also. It was not immediately known if the management of the shrine or the district administration has decided to keep it closed.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJ) in a statement this evening said the historic Jamia masjid will reopen from Tuesday.
The AAJ said that as the spike in daily number of corona positive cases continues in J&K , So people need to continue to take great precautions and strictly adhere to public health regulations and guidelines laid down by the medical fraternity .
AAJ said a “new normal” for conducting daily activities is evolving worldwide as lockdown restrictions are easing and services are resuming.
So AAJ after consultations and suggestions and observing the precepts being followed by Muslims world over, is re-opening the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar for prayers from Tuesday August 18.
AAJ said that health regulations and SOPs need to be strictly followed by those visiting the mosques. AAJ strongly suggests that vulnerable community members i.e elderly those who are sick, and children should stay away from coming to the mosque for prayers. Young children should not be brought along to the mosque.

AAJ said that the international guidelines and protocol while visiting mosques in view of the Covid 19 pandemic should be strictly adhered to.

Worshipers should not greet each other by hugging, shaking hands or any other physical contact and should maintain a physical distance at all times.

Worshippers will leave a distance of 2 meters between them and a space of one row between two rows.
The use of fountain for ablution inside the mosques will not be permitted. All worshippers should mandatorily wear a face mask and bring their own prayer mats and their own copies of holy Quran with them. Ablution should be done at home and worshippers should ensure that they keep a safe distance from others when leaving or entering the mosque.