Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, July 22: As the COVID-19 cases are increasing in Kashmir doctors are demanding adequate security cover for them.
Earlier this week doctors at SMHS hospital had stopped work for a few hours after some of their colleagues were allegedly beaten up by the attendants. Since then doctors are feeling insecure.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The influx of patients into the hospitals has increased manifolds. There is too much of load on the doctors and they are finding it very hard to cope-up with the crisis in absence of any specific medicine or vaccine to treat COVID.”
He said that there are reports that hospitals in Kashmir are facing shortage of beds, oxygen cylinders and ventilators. “These shortcomings have made the job of doctors and paramedical staff more difficult. Attendants have been alleging that doctors and paramedics don’t come close to the COVID patients and testing positive for virus has become a stigma. However, doctors are terming these allegations as baseless. “Many of us haven’t visited our homes. We have not met our children and parents,” said a doctor.
He said, “Despite working in a very difficult situation we are facing assaults and abuses. It’s really unfortunate and sad. People should understand that pandemic is at its peak and we are also human beings. To seek security for our protection is our right.”
The doctor said that they cannot be blamed for the lack of facilities in the hospital. “Since the outbreak of COVID we have been sounding alarms. Many of us had already predicted that COVID would witness its peak in July and our health facilities should be prepared to handle the crisis. We are gain reiterating that authorities should gear up and put more arrangements in place to handle the situation,” the doctor added.
It’s in place to mention here that recently Jammu and Kashmir administration had announced that more ventilators are being procured and the process in on to turn more hospitals into COVID care centres. “We are on the job and in coming days more facilities will be set up. The security in the hospitals has been beefed up to ensure that doctors don’t face any assaults or attacks. The government is working overtime to ensure that situation remains under control and patients get the best possible treatment,” said an official.
A senior doctor said that the government should identify a big place in Srinagar for COVID patients. “There are so many buildings which can be turned into COVID centres. We need space and equipment to manage the patients,” he added.
Attacks on healthcare workers
Recently, some emotionally-charged attendants roughed up doctors and other healthcare workers at a hospital in Srinagar amid covid-19 crisis. The medical staff responded with a strike but better sense prevailed as the doctors and allied staff returned to the duty “in the larger public interest”. Unfortunately, after the unfolding of the covid-19 pandemic, there have been several acts of violence against doctors and other healthcare providers. Jammu and Kashmir is not unique in witnessing the sad spectacle of violence against doctors and the healthcare personnel. Other states or UTs in India, too, have reported it. While attacks on healthcare personnel or establishments must be deplored and deterred, the multi-factorial causes of this problem must be recognised in order to reduce the discontent and distrust that underlies such attacks. In Jammu and Kashmir’s scenario, hospitals have remained overloaded and as a consequence, the doctors and the healthcare workers face multiple challenges.
The healthcare facilities are under-resourced, under-staffed and constantly stressed while struggling to cope with the expectations of patients and attendants. Poor access, uncertain availability and variable quality of care diminish respect and stir up dissatisfaction. Amid these challenges, attitude of some people, who don’t understand how a hospital functions, or how doctors are supposed to deliver their duties, compound the problems. At times, ugly incidents are witnesses where the hospital staff is manhandled and assaulted.
Apart from resource crunches, there is a need to bring accountability in the system and those at fault should be brought to book.
More often than not, assaults on doctors occur following a patient’s death. Whether the death occurred due to a serious health disorder which had a poor outcome despite the best efforts of doctors or there was an element of contributory negligence on the part of the doctors can only be determined by a proper inquiry and the same ought to be ensured on time.
Also, a strong law is needed to curb instances of the violence against the healthcare workers given the fact that doctors and paramedics are working under unfavorable conditions. The government should also ensure that the healthcare workers are not overburdened, and take all measures so that the interface between them and the patients is unproblematic. The situation would not have come to such a pass if people and doctors alike own upto their faults and it seems we are far away from it.
No respite from COVID, 10 more die; J&K toll 277
Jehangir Ganai
Srinagar, July 22: A five year-old boy and a Border Security Force (BSF) man were among the ten patients who died due to COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, taking the total number of fatalities in the Union Territory to 277.
Officials told KNO that ten patients who died include a 58-year-old man from Rajbagh, Srinagar, a 45-year-old man from Zoonimar, Srinagar, a 45-year-old man from Palpora, Noor Bagh, Srinagar, a male patient from Khanyar Srinagar, a 70-year-old male from Ganderbal, a 29-year-old woman from Qazigund Anantnag, a 54-year old man from Sonwar Srinagar, a five-year-old kid from Qazipora, Bandipora, a 56-year-old woman from Pulwama and a BSF man from 40 Bn Baramulla.
An official from SKIMS said that a patient from Rajbagh who was admitted on July 16 with chest infection and tested positive for COVID-19, died today morning.
Official sources said the patient was a ward officer in Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and had worked as a frontline worker in the last three months in the area to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
An official from SKIMS added that two more patients including a 54-year-old man from Sonwar, Srinagar who was admitted on July 14 and a five-year old boy from Qazipora Bandipora who was admitted on June 20 died at SKIMS on Wednesday afternoon.
He said that the boy had burn injuries and was tested positive for COVID-19 on July 16.
An official from CD hospital said that a patient from Shah Gund Hajin, at present living in Zoonimar area of Srinagar, who was tested positive for COVID-19 was brought dead to CD hospital.
He said the patient was already critical, was suffering from lung cancer and was tested positive on Tuesday evening.
An official from SKIMS Bemina said that a 29-year-old woman who was tested positive for COVID-19 died on Wednesday.
An official from SMHS said that a 45-year-old man from Palpora Srinagar who was admitted on July 20 with bilateral pneumonia, died on Wednesday.
He further added that a male patient from Khanyar Srinagar who was admitted on July 21 died on Wednesday. He was suffering from Diabetes, hypertension, bilateral pneumonia and was tested positive after his death, he said.
A 70-year-old man from Ganderbal who was admitted on July 20 died on 21 July at SMHS, official said, adding that he was suffering from bilateral pneumonia and was tested positive a day after his death. The ninth Covid death took place at SMHS where a 56-year-old woman from South Kashmir’s Pulwama who had Gall Bladder stone and underlying ailments. “She had tested positive for the deadly virus and succumbed this evening at the SMHS hospital,” the doctor said.
The officials from the SMHS further stated that a BSF man from 40 bn was admitted in the hospital of July 20, adding that the patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia and was tested positive after his death.
With nine more deaths, the death toll due to COVID-19 has reached to 277 in Jammu and Kashmir including 257 from Kashmir division and 20 from Jammu division.
J&K reports 453 fresh cases, tally at 15,711
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 22: As many as 453 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, taking the tally of infected persons in the Union Territory to 15711, officials said.
They said that fresh cases include 101 from Jammu and 352 from Kashmir. Moreover, 152 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from various hospitals, 37 from Jammu Division and 115 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 15711 positive cases, 6831 are Active Positive, 8607 have recovered and 273 have died; 20 in Jammu division and 253 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 537891 test results available, 522180 samples have been tested as negative till July 22, 2020.
Additionally, till date 341263 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 39981 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 11 in Hospital Quarantine, 6831 in hospital isolation and 41784 under home surveillance. Besides, 252383 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 483 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 106 Active Positive, 370 recovered (including 18 cases recovered today) and 07 deaths; Srinagar has 3450 positive cases (including 165 cases reported today) with 2126 Active Positive, 1253 recovered, 71 deaths; Anantnag district has 1098 positive cases (including 01 case reported today), with 363 Active Positive, 716 recovered, 19 deaths; Baramulla has 1709 positive cases (including 58 cases reported today) with 704 Active Positive, 948 recovered (including 26 cases recovered today), 57 deaths; Shopian has 1184 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 361 Active Positive, 804 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today) and 19 deaths; Kupwara has 976 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 363 Active Positive, 598 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today) and 15 deaths; Budgam has 950 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 430 Active Positive and 500 recovered cases (including 20 cases recovered today) and 20 deaths; Ganderbal has 307 positive cases with 163 active positive cases and 139 recoveries (including 13 cases recovered today) and 05 deaths; Kulgam has 1248 positive cases (including 62 cases reported today) with 354 Active Positive and 868 recoveries (including 04 cases recovered today) and 26 deaths and Pulwama reported 1072 positive cases (including 30 cases reported today) with 520 active positive cases and 538 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today) and 14 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 665 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 194 active positive cases and 459 recoveries (including 19 cases recovered today) and 12 deaths; Udhampur has 375 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 75 active positive cases, 299 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 344 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 167 Active Positive and 176 recoveries and 01 death; Rajouri has 486 positive cases (including 47 cases reported today) with 365 active positive cases and 119 recovered and 02 deaths; Kathua has 396 positive cases (including 10 cases reported today) with 119 Active positive and 276 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Kishtwar has 90 positive cases with 61 active positive cases and 29 recovered; Ramban has 419 positive cases with 177 active positive and 242 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today); Reasi has 94 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 49 active positive and 45 recovered; Poonch has 159 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 27 active positive and 131 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today) and 01 death while Doda has 206 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 107 active positive cases and 97 recoveries and 02 deaths.
According to the bulletin, of the total 15711 positive cases in J&K 3605 have been reported as travelers while 12106 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 Coronavirus 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.
India’s COVID tally nears 12 lakh, deaths 28732
New Delhi, July 22: India’s contagion tally reached close to 12 lakh-mark on Wednesday, after the country recorded a sharp spike of 37724 fresh COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours.
Confirmed cases of the pandemic so far registered stand at 1192915. The actual case load, which are the active cases, presently stand at 411133, according to the Union Health Ministry update.
Since the past several days, the number of fresh infections have rapidly increased in the country, with single-day spikes being recorded over 35000.
Deaths due to the virus have now mounted to 28732, after 648 more people reportedly lost their lives to the contagion since Tuesday.
On the brighter side, with improving recovery rate, the total number of recovered patients across the nation now stand at 753050.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,47,24,546 samples have been tested for COVID as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) till Tuesday.
COVID-19: Srinagar worst hit, records 3283 positive cases till date
Sumaya Jan
SRINAGAR, July 22: Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, Srinagar is the worst hit district in Jammu and Kashmir where 3283 positive cases were detected until Tuesday.
As per the official figures accessed by KINS Srinagar has 3283 positive cases with 1961 active positive, 1253 recovered and 69 deaths until Tuesday.
A doctor at SMHS Hospital said that Srinagar has become a major concern for the administration due to the huge number of COVID-19 positive cases.
“Highest numbers of deaths have also been reported in this district. There is hardly any area in Srinagar where positive cases have not been reported. Contain virus in Srinagar has become difficult,” the doctor told KINS.
In comparison, Jammu district has reported 651 positive cases with 199 active positive cases and 440 recoveries.
Similarly, Bandipora has 478 positive cases with 121 active positive, 352 recovered. Similarly, Anantnag district has 1097 positive cases with 363 active positive, 716 recovered. Baramulla has 1651 positive cases with 674 active positive, 922 recovered. Shopian has 1168 positive cases with 365 active positive, 784 recovered.
Kupwara has 965 positive cases with 362 active positive, 588 recovered. While Budgam has 948 positive cases with 449 active positive and 480 recovered cases. Ganderbal has 307 positive cases with 177 active positive cases and 126 recoveries. Kulgam has 1186 positive cases with 297 active positive and 864 recoveries. Pulwama reported 1042 positive cases with 494 active positive cases and 534 recovered.
Government has already issued an advisory 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 advisory 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.
Yatra Camp being converted into Covid screening centre
Srinagar, July 22: Designated Yatra Camp at Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar city is being converted into Covid screening centre for non local labourers.
Sources said that after the outcry that non-local labourers coming to Valley from outside are not being screened and tested, district administration Srinagar has decided to convert the Yatra Camp at Pantha Chowk to Covid Screening Centre where all the non-local labourers will be screened for Covid-19 infection.
Pertinently, this annual Amarnath Yatra has been called off due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Sources told KNT that District Development Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chowdary along with Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Tehsildar Pantha Chowk, Block Medical Officer Khonmou and Chief Medical Officer Srinagar visited the Yatra Camp at Pantha Chowk to take stock of the work in progress.
An official confirmed that a Covid Screening Centre will come up here where non-local labourers will be screened before entering Srinagar or other districts.
‘No migrant worker to enter Srinagar without negative COVID-19 report’
Srinagar, July 22: The district administration in Srinagar on Wednesday said that the migrant workers would be allowed to enter the city after testing negative for COVID-19, officials said.
The administration also issued guidelines and appointed nodal officer for the regulated entry of non-local labourers.
“It has been decided that Rapid Antigen Testing/ RT-PCR (Real Time Polymerize Chain Reaction) shall be done on arrival in districts. The scheme has been notified keeping in view the large workforce of brick kilns. There are no brick kilns operating in District Srinagar however labor for construction activities and infrastructure projects has been reported to be arriving in some cases. Further, there is also need to have in place strict arrangements to ensure that all required protocols are followed to avoid spread of COVID,” said a spokesman.
He said the Department of Labour and Employment shall be Nodal Department for ensuring end to end arrangements for incoming Labour to ensure their regulated entry, compulsory COVID testing, distancing norms and SOPs at places of work and stay.
Deputy Labour Commissioner shall personally oversee the arrangements and personally monitor the process. He shall be designated officer under The Disaster Management Act 2005, for the said purpose.
Asstt Labour Commissioner, Srinagar shall remain stationed at Pantha-chowk to coordinate entry Labour and compulsory testing at designated camp and further SOPs to be adopted at places of work and stay. Each worker/ labourer shall be given a unique ID number by Labor Department to ensure his tracking and surveillance, compulsorily indicating mobile number and other particulars. Any lapse in management shall be personal responsibility of concerned officers.
The Deputy Labor Commissioner / Asstt Labor Commissioner shall establish a Control Room at Panthachowk for overall coordination. The control room shall have representatives from all the departments deputed already at disposal of Tehsildar Panthachowk. They shall coordinate with Lakhanpur and JT teams and ensure that no entry is allowed beyond the manifest received.
The following guidelines shall be implemented without any relaxation, by Deputy / Asstt Labor Commissioner, and they shall be personally responsible in case any laborer/ worker is found in city in violation of these.
Mandatory Rapid Antigen Testing/ RT-PCR,Unique ID for each person,Wearing mask all the times,Social distancing at places of stay,Social distancing at places of work,Complete database of places of stay and work,Contact numbers/ address details of labor contractors,Daily reporting on arrival,Database of labour,Installation of Aarogya Setu.
Any vehicles found ferrying laborers without permission shall be seized, imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 and shall not be released till the cost of Rapid Antigens Testing/ RT-PCR and other logistics is recovered from owner of vehicle/contractor.
Likewise, the labour contractors shall be booked for any violation of norms at places of work or stay. A fine of Rs 50,000 shall be imposed on contractor for violation of norms. All the costs including testing, logistics etc shall be recovered from the contractor wherever unauthorized movement of labor is found.
Labor Deptt shall communicate to all Tehsildars the details of places of work and places of stay of labor for strict monitoring and regular inspections. Further, directions shall be issued separately.
This order is issued under The Disaster Management Act and The Epidemic Diseases Act. Any violation thereof shall be dealt under provisions of the said Act.(KINS)
Remdesivir unaffordable for COVID patients: DAK
Srinagar, July 22: Asserting that the antiviral drug Remdesivir reduces the risk of death among COVID-19 patients, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said the drug is unaffordable for poor patients.
“Because of high cost, Remdesivir is out of reach for poor people,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.
“The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved Remdesivir injection under emergency use authorization for the treatment of suspected or lab confirmed Covid-19 cases who are hospitalized with severe disease,” he said.
“It is a five day treatment. The loading dose of 200 mg (shot) on day 1 is followed by 100 mg (shot) daily for 4 days (total 5 days),” he added.
Dr Hassan said each vial of Remdesivir costs between Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,400. “Thus for a five day treatment, a patient has to pay anywhere between Rs 24,000 and Rs 32,400 as the cost the drug,” he said, adding the price makes it inaccessible to those patients who desperately need it. The DAK president said besides affordability, non-availability of the drug is equally breeding the concern on the ground. “Unaffordability and non- availability of the drug is putting lives of Covid patients at serious risk,” he said.
Dr Hassan said government needs to make sure any treatment that has the potential to save lives is accessible and affordable to all those who need it. “We must remove all obstacles to the widespread use of one of the most effective treatments that the novel virus has at this point in time,” he said.
He said studies have shown that patients who received Remdesivir recovered faster than those who did not receive the drug. Quoting a study, he said the drug cuts the recovery time by nearly one-third, reducing the median recovery time for Covid-19 patients by four days.
“Another clinical trial has found the drug to reduce the risk of death by 62 per cent among Covid patients,” he added.
DGP inaugurates plasma screening camp in Srinagar
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jul 22: A plasma screening camp was on Wednesday inaugurated in Srinagar, where police and other civilian persons who had contracted COVID 19 and have recovered will voluntarily donate their plasma.
A police spokesman said this afternoon that Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbagh Singh on Wednesday inaugurated “ Plasma Screening Camp”, organized jointly by Jammu and Kashmir police, department of health and medical education at Kashmir Nurshing Home, Sonawar in Srinagar.
He said the Police personnel who had contracted Covid19 and have recovered will voluntarily donate their Plasma.
Meanwhile, chairman District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Dr Shahid Choudhary said in a tweet said “ PlasmaTherapy is a hope till we get #VaccineForCorona”.
He further said, “More than 8000 persons recovered from #COVID19 have a great opportunity to save lives. Pl encourage people around to support this initiative.
Those of us who went through the pain of recovering from COVID-19, wish to alleviate the pain of others who are going through the same. Wish all of you to think alike and contribute, the DDMA said.
