Baramulla, Aug 12: A soldier was injured when militants attacked a patrol party in apple township of Sopore in this north Kashmir district Wednesday afternoon, official sources said.

They said militants fired upon a patrol party at Hygam Sopore on the highway this afternoon. A soldier was injured they said.

Security forces immediately sealed the entire area and launched a massive search operation, they said.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, Aug 12: The death toll due to COVID-19 touched the grim milestone of 500-mark on Wednesday as eight more people succumbed to the virus in last 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.

Official sources told GNS that three deaths were reported from Srinagar, two from Kupwara and one each from Baramulla, Pulwama and Ganderbal.

The Srinagar fatalities include a 70-year-old man from Lal Bazar who was admitted to SKIMS Soura on July 24 and died today.

The other two fatalities include a 60-year-old man from Nawabazar, admitted with Pneumonia to the hospital on August 4, and a 68-year-old-man from Rainawari who was admitted to SMHS hospital on August 6, sources said. Regarding the latter, a senior doctor at the hospital said that he was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease  (COPD) and bilateral Pneumonia.

Regarding Pulwama victim, sources said the 80-year-old woman from Waspora Murran came positive for covid-19 today. She had underlying renal failure and died on way to district hospital Pulwama, the sources added.

As regards the fatality from Ganderbal, sources said that 60-year-old man from died at SKIMS Soura.

Regarding the Bandipora fatality, sources said that a 65-year-old COPD patient from Baktoor village of Gurez died on the way to the hospital.

One of the victims from Kupwara district, they said, was a 47-year-old man from Langate who had been admitted SMHS hospital with bilateral pneumonia. The other victim, they said, a 70-year-old man from Kralgund Handwara.

With these deaths, officials said, 500 people have succumbed to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir so far—463 from the Valley and 37 from Jammu division.

Srinagar district with 160 deaths tops the list followed by Baramulla (85), Budgam (36), Anantnag (35), Kulgam (31), Pulwama (33), Kupwara (30),  Shopian (24), Jammu (26), Bandipora (19), Ganderbal (10), two each in Rajouri, Doda and Udhampur besides one each in Ramban, Samba, Poonch, and Kathua.

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Aug 12: As many as 482 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, thus taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 26413, officials said.
They said that of the 482 new cases 106 are from Jammu and 376 are from Kashmir.

Moreover, 544 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 88 from Jammu Division and 456 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 26413 positive cases, 7392 are Active Positive, 18523 have recovered and 498 have died; 37 in Jammu division and 461 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 750487 test results available, 724434 samples have been tested as negative till August 12, 2020.

Additionally, till date 402509 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 42494 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 7392 in isolation and 48726 under home surveillance. Besides, 303399 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 6435 positive cases (including 88 cases reported today) with 2208 Active Positive, 4067 recovered (including 170 cases recovered today), 160 deaths; Baramulla has 2257 positive cases (including 26 cases reported today) with 508 Active Positive, 1664 recovered, 85 deaths; Pulwama reported 1949 positive cases (including 52 cases reported today) with 641 active positive cases, 1276 recovered (including 79 cases recovered today), 32 deaths; Kulgam has 1659 positive cases (including 17 cases reported today) with 190 Active Positive, 1438 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today), 31 deaths; Shopian has 1537 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 112 Active Positive, 1401 recovered (including 13 recoveries today), 24 deaths; Anantnag district has 1665 positive cases (including 53 cases reported today) with 353 Active Positive, 1277 recovered (including 74 cases recovered today), 35 deaths;  Budgam has 1641 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 472 Active Positive and 1133 recovered (including 18 cases recovered today), 36 deaths; Kupwara has 1348 positive cases (including 42 cases reported today) with 234 Active Positive, 1084 recovered (including 49 cases recovered today), 30 deaths; Bandipora has 1197 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 517 Active Positive, 662 recovered (including 32 cases recovered today), 18 deaths and  Ganderbal has 773 positive cases (including 39 cases reported today) with 335 active positive cases, 428 recoveries (including 18 cases recovered today) and 10 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 1727 positive cases (including 42 cases reported today) with 743 active positive cases, 958 recoveries (including 53 cases recovered today), 26 deaths; Rajouri has 771 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 234 active positive cases, 534 recovered (including 03 cases reported today), 03 deaths; Ramban has 616 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 44 active positive, 571 recoveries, 01 death; Kathua has 626 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 97 Active positive, 528 recovered (including 05 cases reported today), 01 death; Udhampur has 633 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)  with 184 active positive cases, 447 recovered (including 12 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Samba has 533 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 190 Active Positive, 342 recoveries, 01 death; Doda has 324 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 34 active positive cases, 288 recoveries (including 02 cases reported today), 02 deaths; Poonch has 305 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 124 active positive, 180 recoveries, 01 death; Reasi has 242 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 147 active positive, 95 recoveries (including 02 cases reported today) and Kishtwar has 175 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 25 active positive cases, 150 recoveries (including 11 cases recovered today).

According to the bulletin, of the total 26413 positive cases in J&K 5194 have been reported as travelers while 21219 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).

The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussive, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 7. 83 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensued during this pandemic.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Appreciates donors for saving lives

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 12: Over 100 COVID-19 patients have so far received Convalescent Plasma therapy at Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, an official handout said.

Director SKIMS Dr. A.G Ahangar in a statement thanked people for immense support and their overwhelming response for donating plasma to save COVID sick patients.

While lauding the efforts of the Plasma Therapy team, he said that SKIMS achieved a milestone in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 where hundred patients have received plasma therapy so far.

“Plasma therapy is being worked out as a treatment modality for moderate to severely sick patients with COVID-19. In J&K, the Apex Committee for COVID-19 had recommended plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients and issued guidelines for it. It has yielded satisfying results throughout the world and has been tried across the country,” he added.

Dr Ahangar said, “People have responded with enthusiasm for convalescent plasma donation. It is happening at a great pace. People from all walks of life are volunteering for donation even amid lockdown. The donors also include 30 doctors and paramedics,” he added.

Director SKIMS thanked donors and has directed to issue “Certificate of Appreciation” to those warriors for coming to the help of humanity at this crucial hour.

H.O.D. of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology, Dr. Romana Makhdoomi while giving details said that SKIMS started Plasma Therapy in the month of June with installation of sophisticated and of State-of-Art Apheresis-machine to carry out the procedure with precision and more than 100 COVID positive patients received plasma and benefitted and no transfusion related complications were reported from all those who received the therapy.

“Though the detailed studies for evaluating the effectiveness of convalescent plasma on patients with COVID-19 are underway, preliminary reporting suggests that many patients have benefitted from the treatment. The procedure is available 24X7 in Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology, SKIMS and the department has a dedicated helpline for helping out the donors and recipients alike,” Dr Makhdoomi said.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 12: While Russia has approved the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine for public use, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said it’s skeptical about the claim as the vaccine has been granted license for civilian use even before the clinical trials were completed.

“Mass vaccination with an incompletely tested vaccine is unethical,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement.

“Russia has conducted just two trials of the vaccine with the third clinical trial yet to start,” he said. “The normal approval process of a new vaccine is to gather data from phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials and then expand the pool of study participants in phase 3 to create enough evidence that the vaccine is effective and safe.

Dr Nisar said to fully assess the efficacy and safety of a vaccine phase 3 trials are required. “The phase 3 trial is the pivotal study on which the decision on whether to grant the license is based,” he said.

He said Russia has not made data from the earlier trials public and the data has not been peer-reviewed which is important for regulatory approval. “Lack of published data on vaccine – including how it is made and details on safety, immune response and whether it can prevent COVID-19 infection has left health experts and the public across the globe in dark,” he added.

Dr Nisar said the rush to start using the vaccine before phase 3 trials, which normally lasts for months and involves thousands of people could backfire.

“One of the biggest concerns about approving a new vaccine before clinical trials are complete is that it could jeopardize public trust in the vaccine development process and people may not use it,” he said.

“Even the Moscow-based Association of Clinical Trials Organization, a trade body representing the world’s top drug makers in Russia had urged the Russian health ministry to postpone vaccine approval until the final trial is successfully completed.

The World Health Organization has made it clear that any WHO stamp of approval on Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine would require a rigorous safety data review,” said Dr Nisar.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 12: Kashmir’s leading medico and the Associate professor at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan Wednesday tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 and has now gone into home isolation.
Dr Hassan, who is also the President of Doctors Association Kashmir, while talking to KNO said, “I was on duty in the COVID ward of SMHS for the past few days. I think I have transmitted the virus there only. Yesterday, I developed pain and viral load related symptoms, I got myself tested and results came as positive today.”
He said at present he has no breathlessness but high fever and viral load besides body ache.

“I am in home isolation and need prayers of my dear ones including friends,” Dr Nisar added.

Meanwhile, an IPS officer posted in Jammu’s Kathua district also tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, officials said.

The senior police officer had given his sample for COVID test, on Tuesday. The test report of this IPS officer came today, an official said.

‘Persons possessing such certificates will not be allowed practice modern medicine’

Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar, Aug 12: The Indian Medical Council (IMC) has said that the medical qualification obtained from Muzaffarabad will not be registered and persons possessing such certificates will not be allowed to practice modern medicine in India.

In a notice issued, a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Rakesh Kumar Vats, Secretary General of the IMC, said: “This is to inform all concerned that the entire territories of UT of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the territory”.

The notice further states that accordingly, any medical institution in other Kashmir and Ladakh requires permission/recognition under IMC Act, 1956. “Such permission has not been granted to any medical college in Muzaffarabad,” Vats said in the notice.

He said, “Therefore, any qualification obtained from medical colleges located in these “illegally occupied areas of India” shall not entitle a person for grant of registration under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 to practice modern medicine in India.”

The notification from India about medical professionals comes days after the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan led government in Pakistan unveiled a new political map which includes this part of Kashmir as the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 12:  Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Wednesday chaired a weekly Covid-19 review meeting with all Deputy Commissioners, Health Officers and other concerned.

While taking review of preparations, the Div Com directed DCs to ensure installation of all newly procured ventilators available with them by August-15 for better patient care in emergency cases.

He instructed concerned health officers to ensure training to the designated staff for smooth functioning of these ventilators in hospitals.

Emphasizing on decongestion of Srinagar hospitals, the Div Com said that GMC Baramulla and GMC Anantnag shall cater to north and south Kashmir and stop unnecessary referrals to Srinagar tertiary care hospitals.

Directions were given that DCs shall ensure increase in the number of bed capacity as per the requirement.

The Div Com stressed on concerned to focus on patients in home isolation and home quarantine for their effective recovery.

He emphasized on proper monitoring of these patients, their regular thermal checkups and sensitization on following the Covid-19 protocol religiously.

He also instructed concerned to provide Oximeters to all home isolated patients for their daily checkup of their saturation level and prompt response to the patients in case of any emergency and added that as mandatory all shall download Arogya Setu app.

He further emphasized on aggressive contact tracing of covid patients and their timely quarantine.

Div Com also asked DCs to raise the number antigen testing in all districts.

He said that those covid centers which are not in use at present can be created as a stay facility for protected persons.

He also took stock of availability of covid medicines, oxygen cylinders, availability of beds and other related facilities in all districts.

Pole stressed on daily updation of tested and discharged patients in all districts.

Srinagar, Aug 12: The Janamashtami was on Wednesday celebrated in the valley, where festivity was missing for the second successive year.

This year Jhanki procession and other festivity was missing due to COVID-19 pandemic though puja was held last night in temples, where only small number of devotees participated after maintaining social distance other Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), a Pujara told UNI at Hanuman Mandir at Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) near here.

However, last year Jhanki procession and other programmes could not be held due to restrictions imposed by the authorities after August 5, when centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs), he said.

In number of temples in the old city, down town and civil lines, only few people and pujaras were present. However, all of them said puja was held last night though the number of devotees, including security personnel, was very less due to COVID-19 restrictions. We will also organize similar puja this evening, they said.

They said no big congregation was organized this time too because of lock down in view of the coronaviurs threat.

They said in the past, including during militancy after 1996 we were taking out jhanki processions from old city and after marching through different areas, including historic Lal Chowk, and other civil line areas and culminate in a temple at Zaindar Mohalla in the city.

Reports of celebrating of Janamashtami were also received from other parts of the Kashmir valley, where small functions were organized since last evening.

Lt Governor of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, his advisors and Chief secretary have greeted people on the occasion.

Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar, Aug 12: The heat wave continues to hold its tight grip on Kashmir as weatherman predicts no immediate response for next one week.

The Meteorological department (MeT) spokesman informed that Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded 34.7 degrees Celsius temperature today.

He added that the season’s highest temperature at 35.4 degree Celsius was recorded on August 7.

, Director MeT, Sonum Lotus said there is no prediction of any major rainfall activity in the next one week.

He added that the weather conditions across Kashmir would remain hot and humid, adding that there is possibility of light rainfall in some areas also. “But, there is no forecast of any major rainfall activity in the next one week.

Pertinently, the Kashmir Valley has been witnessing prolonged dry spell as the previous month (July) recorded lowest ever rainfall since the last four decades.

Srinagar district has received just 7.0 mm rainfall in the month of July, which is lowest ever from the last four decades.

As per the data, Jammu and Kashmir has also received deficit rainfall during the period of 61 days from June 01 to July 31. KNO)