Medical Superintendent orders probe, says guilty will face music

Anantnag, July 28: Maternity and Child Care Hospital here in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district ordered probe after the death of a lady in the hospital. The agitated family members ransacked the hospital and demanded stern punishment for those responsible for the death of the woman.

A pregnant lady Rozy Jaan wife of Showkat Ahmed of Beigh Bagh Bijbehara area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was admitted at Maternity and Child Care Hospital on 25 July this month. The lady delivered a baby next day after going through a surgery.

The said lady according to family members was left unattended and today she died in the hospital. Protesting family members told news agency KNT that after giving birth to a baby, Rozy Jan developed complications but to the utter surprise of the attendants, the doctors and Para-medics said the woman is alright and doing ‘drama’.

The family members broke the window panes of the hospital

Medical Superintendent Maternity and Child Care Hospital Dr SM Andrabi told KNT that an enquiry committee has been constituted and whosoever is found guilty won’t be spared. He said the committee will present its report within 7 days and the guilty, be they doctors or para-medics will face the music.

“It is very cheap to play with the life of a patient. Such incidents bring a bad name to the hospital and these need to be stopped,” Andrabi added. (KNT)

New Delhi, July 28: The Central Government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it will verify the reported statements made by the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Ram Madhav that 4G Internet service can be restored in the Union Territory.

The Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, after the hearing, sought more time to file a reply to the rejoinder affidavit filed by an NGO.

The Apex Court bench, headed by Justice N V Ramana was hearing the contempt petition filed by the NGO, Foundation for Media Professionals (FMP), seeking direction to take action against the officials concerned who is not implementing the Apex Court’s judgement.

The Apex Court had passed the verdict and asked the government to look into the issue and try to see it as to whether 4G can be restored or not.

A bench of the Apex Court, also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai adjourned the hearing for August 7, Friday, on the contempt petition filed by the NGO, Foundation for Media Professionals.

The Central government, during the course of the hearing today, through Videoconferencing, said, it needs to verify statements of the J&K LG favouring restoration of 4G services in the Union Territory.

After hearing this, the Apex Court fixed the contempt petition further hearing to August 07, Friday.

The Central government, on the other hand, had maintained that it is indeed complying the Apex Court’s earlier verdict in the case.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, July 27: Ten persons including a National Conference block president died of COVID-19 in Kashmir on Monday taking the death toll due to pandemic in the Union Territory to 328.

Officials told KNO that ten patients who were tested positive for Covid-19 and died include a 65-year-old from Safakadal Srinagar, a 65-year-old from Hanjoora village of Chadoora district Budgam, a-60-year-old man from Hawal Srinagar, a 60-year old man from Bemina Srinagar, a 70-year-old man from Behipora village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, 60-year-old man from Buchpora, Srinagar, an 85-year-old man from Samboora Pulwama, an 85-year-old man from Barzulla Srinagar, a 70-year-old man from Eidgah Srinagar and a 69-year-old man from Hyderpora Srinagar

An official at SMHS hospital said that a patient from Safakadal was admitted a few days ago with hypertension and bilateral pneumonia. The patient died on Sunday evening and tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously.

Official sources said that the patient was the Block President of the National Conference at Eidgah constituency.

An official at SKIMS said that a patient from Budgam was admitted on 21 July, died on Monday morning

He added that a patient from Hawal was admitted on 18 July with multiple ailments and died in the intervening night of Sunday-Monday.

Regarding a patient from Bemina, he said that the patient was admitted on 25 July, with community acquired pneumonia and died on Monday morning.

Regarding a patient from Kulgam he said that patient was admitted in the wee hours of Monday and he succumbed after arrival. He further said that a patient from Buchpora who was admitted on 23 July, died on Monday morning.

An official from SMHS Srinagar told KNO that an 85-year- old man from Samboora Pulwama and his age-mate from Barzulla Srinagar were tested positive for covid-19 after death.

He said that a patient from Pulwama was suffering from bilateral pneumonia while a patient from Barzulla who was admitted on 15 July was suffering from hypertension, diabetes and bilateral pneumonia.

Regarding a patient from  Eidgah Srinagar, he said that a patient suffering from  pneumonia was admitted on 24 July and breathed his last on Monday afternoon.

“Patient from Hyderpora was admitted on 25 July with pneumonia and he died on Sunday evening,” he said.

With ten fresh deaths, the total count of fatalities related to COVID19 climbs to 328 which include 23 from Jammu division and 305 from Kashmir division.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 27: As many as 470 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday taking the tally of infected persons in the Union Territory to 18390, officials said.
They said that among the fresh cases 161 are from Jammu division and 309 from Kashmir division.

Moreover, 474 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 112 from Jammu Division and 362 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 18390 positive cases, 7667 are Active Positive, 10402 have recovered and 321 have died; 23 in Jammu division and 298 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 592482 test results available, 574092 samples have been tested as negative till July 27, 2020.

Additionally, till date 357927 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 45645 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 12 in Hospital Quarantine, 7667 in hospital isolation and 40267 under home surveillance. Besides, 264015 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 652 positive cases (including 20 cases reported today) with 225 Active Positive, 418 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today) and 09 deaths; Srinagar has 4133 positive cases (including 132 cases reported today) with 2384 Active Positive, 1655 recovered (including 72 cases recovered today), 94 deaths; Anantnag district has 1229 positive cases (including 53 cases reported today) with 284 Active Positive, 924 recovered (including 122 cases recovered today),  21 deaths; Baramulla has 1784 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 553 Active Positive, 1168 recovered (including 04 cases reported today), 63 deaths; Shopian has 1391 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 437 Active Positive, 934 recovered (including 37 cases reported today) and 20 deaths; Kupwara has 1041 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 295 Active Positive, 729 recovered  (including 55 cases recovered today) and 17 deaths; Budgam has 1151 positive cases (including 23 cases reported today) with 478 Active Positive and 650 recovered cases (including 39 cases recovered today) and 23 deaths; Ganderbal has 351 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 146 active positive cases and 199 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today) and 06 deaths; Kulgam has 1468 positive cases (including 23 cases reported today) with 458 Active Positive and 984 recoveries (including 12 cases recovered today) and 26 deaths and Pulwama reported 1257 positive cases (including 38 cases reported today) with 617 active positive cases and 621 recovered (including 11 cases recovered today) and 19 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 897 positive cases (including 37 cases reported today) with 387 active positive cases and 495 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today) and 15 deaths; Udhampur has 409 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today)   with 109 active positive cases, 299 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 386 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 173 Active Positive and 212 recoveries (including 10 cases reported today) and 01 death; Rajouri has 577 positive cases (including 20 cases reported today) with 395 active positive cases and 180 recovered (including 57 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths; Kathua has 475 positive cases (including 10 cases reported today) with 159 Active positive and 315 recovered (including 13 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Kishtwar has 129 positive cases (including 23 cases reported today) with 78 active positive cases and 51 recovered (including 14 cases recovered today); Ramban has 502 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 250 active positive and 252 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today); Reasi has 114 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 59 active positive and 55 recovered; Poonch has 187 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 49 active positive and 137 recoveries and 01 death while Doda has 257 positive cases  (including 15 cases reported today) with 131 active positive cases and 124 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths.

According to the bulletin, of the total 18390 positive cases in J&K 4056 have been reported as travelers while 14334 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 metre 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 handwashing 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 dialling 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).

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.

Death toll mounts to 32,711

New Delhi, July 27: With 49,931 people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally crossed 14 lakh mark on Monday, Union Health Ministry said in its daily update.

Total COVID19 positive cases stand at 14,35,453 including 4,85,114 active cases, 9,17,568 cured/discharged/migrated and 32,771 deaths, the health ministry said.

Meanwhile, the recoveries jumped to 9,17,568. The country’s death toll rose to 32,771 with 708 fatalities being recorded in a day. The fatality from COVID currently stands at 2.3 per cent in India as compared to the global average of about 4 per cent.

The recoveries on Sunday is one of the highest ever recoveries in a single day. 31,992 COVID-19 patients were cured and discharged in the last 24 hours. The recovery rate has now inched closer to 64 pc. The gap between active patients and recovered patients have crossed 4 lakh and currently stands at 4,32,454.

For the first time, a record number of more than 5 lakh tests have been conducted in a single day. With 5,15,472 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing stands at 1,68,06,803.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch coronavirus testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata via video conferencing today.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), these facilities will ramp up testing capacity in the country and help in strengthening early detection and treatment, thus assisting in controlling the spread of the pandemic.

New Delhi, July 27: India is in a “better position than other countries” regrading the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as the country recorded close to 50,000 new cases for the second straight day. Speaking at a virtual programme to mark the opening of the “high throughput” COVID-19 testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata, PM Modi said the death rate in India from coronavirus is far lower than that of the other large nations. “The recovery rate is better than most countries and already getting better,” he added.

“The world is praising us because of the efforts of the foot soldiers. We don’t lack awareness,” the Prime Minister said.

The country, he said, has taken big strides to set up infrastructure and now needs to “strengthen demand-supply chains in the block, village and zilla levels”.

“We want to save each and every Indian,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the country now has more than 11,000 COVID facilities and more than 11 lakh isolation beds.

“What India did with PPE, masks, test kits, it is a massive success story. At one point, India didn’t manufacture a single PPE kit. Now it is the world’s second largest manufacturer. Over 1,200 manufacturers are making PPE kits within six months. Ove three lakh N-95 masks are being made in India today. Three lakh ventilators can now be produced every year,” he said.

The new “high throughput” testing centres are located at the National Institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research at Kolkata, Noida and Mumbai.

The Prime Minister said these hi-tech state-of-the-art testing facilities will boost the testing capacity by almost 10,000 a day in each of the three cities, which are among the hotspots of the disease.

Mumbai already has the maximum number of coronavirus cases in the country. The numbers in Kolkata are rapidly rising too. Noida is the big testing centre in western Uttar Pradesh.

An increase in the number of tests in these areas will lead to early detection and help control the spread of the virus.

The Prime Minister, however, added that these labs will not be limited to testing for coronavirus. In future, they will also be used for tests for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Dengue and several other diseases.

‘3036 cases were detected in last one week, Srinagar tops list with 1101 cases’

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, July 27: After authorities’ re-imposed lockdown across Kashmir  region, the Valley has recorded 1671 new COVID cases in just four days till Sunday evening. The lockdown was re-imposed by the government on July 23 (Wednesday) to prevent the virus from spreading.

According to the data available with KNO, a total of 3036 cases were recorded in the Valley from past one week while 1671 among them were detected after fresh lockdown was re-imposed in Kashmir.

On July 20, a total of 511 COVID cases were detected in Kashmir while on July 21, 502 cases were recorded in the Valley.

The fresh lockdown was re-imposed in the Valley on July 23 following a spurt in the number of COVID cases. On the first day of fresh lockdown on July 23, a total of 601 COVID cases were detected in Kashmir division while on July 24, 224 cases were detected, the data revealed.

On July 25, a total of 367 cases were detected in Kashmir Valley, the data revealed, adding that a total 479 fresh cases were recorded on July 26.

In Srinagar district alone, 1101 cases were witnessed in the last one week, almost one hundred less than the earlier week.

Pertinently, the lockdown was announced by the administration following the spurt in cases and had also announced that the relaxation in the lockdown will be given from 28^th of July for three days in wake of Eid-ul-Adha, which will be celebrated on August 01.

However, Division Commissioner Kashmir, PK Pole has earlier told KNO that the DCs have been authorized to take final call regarding the lockdown in their respective districts.

In the meantime, authorities in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have decided to extend the lockdown till 06:00 AM of July 28.

Many of the districts including Srinagar had not decided anything about the relaxation when the report was last filed.

Srinagar, July 26 : The Divisional administration in Kashmir won’t allow Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers in view of COVID-19.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole regarding arrangements on this year’s Eid-ul-Adha with stakeholders.

According to the official communiqué to Deputy Commissioners and other concerned departments from Divisional Commissioner’s office, the meeting held on 22nd of this month decided that the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the administration from July 22-27 shall be eased from July 28 till July 30 to allow people to buy essentials for Eid.

However, no public transport except passenger auto/personal vehicles shall be allowed to ply on the roads on the said days.

Regarding the opening of markets from July 28-30, the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to locally take a call over the reopening pattern on these days in accordance with SOP and COVID-19 guidelines.

The DCs have also been asked to identify suitable places where sacrificial animals shall be kept available on the said days at rates already fixed by the government and aware general public that “no sale/ purchase of these animals shall be allowed from July 31”.

In order to overcome shortage of sacrificial animals, Mughal Road shall be specially thrown open for the purpose, the communiqué said.

The respective DCs have also been asked to hold a capacity building programme under the supervision of epidemiologist for Imams regarding precautionary measures to be taken while distributing the sacrificial meat.

While the concerned departments have been asked to facilitate general public on the occasion, the communique said that “All the Masjids/ shrines shall remain closed for Nimaz”.

“But SMC/ULB shall launch a cleanliness drive at all the mosques/ shrines in Srinagar and valley well before Eid-ul-Adha, ” it added.

The deputy Commissioners/SSPs shall ensure that the shopkeepers are following all thc covid-19 related SOPs in letter and spirit, and in case of any violation such shopkeepers shall be booked. under relevant provisions of law, the order reads.

“The Join market checking teams comprising of FS&CA Deptt/revenue/Police/SMC/ legal Metrology/ Drug & Food Safety Standards Deptt shall ensure market checking to curb profiteering/black marketing of essential commodities by traders (wholesalers /retailers) and ensure availability of essential commodities like Mutton, Chicken, Vegetables, fruits, bakery and confectionary etc

in the markets as per the notified.

The order also reads rat KPDCL shall ensure uninterrupted power supply on the eve of Eid ul Adha.

” It shall be ensured that all damaged transformers are made functional well before the Eid.” KNS.