LG Murmu, Advisors, Chief Secy condole demise

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 20:  Khalida Begum, mother of Farooq Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, passed away on Monday.
Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu extended his heartfelt condolences on her sad demise.

Terming her as a noble and compassionate soul, the Lt Governor said that she was a philanthropist, always working for the welfare of the public.

In a condolence message, the Lt Governor prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage for bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Advisor Baseer Ahmad Khan in his condolence message prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul as well as fortitude and strength for the bereaved family.

Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar in a condolence message, expressed deep sympathy with Khan’s family and also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul as well as strength for the family to bear this irreparable loss.

Advisor KK Sharma expressed deep sympathy with the Khan’s family and also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul as well as strength for the family to bear this irreparable loss.

Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam in his condolence message expressed sorrow on her sudden demise and said that it is a void which is impossible to fill. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this loss.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, July 19: Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday reported ten more COVID-19 deaths taking the fatality count to 246 in J&K.

Officials told GNS victims include, three each \from Srinagar and Baramulla, besides one each from Shopian, Pulwama, Rajouri and Jammu.

Regarding Srinagar ones, they said, one was 80-year-old woman from Rainawari area who died at CD hospital where she was referred from SMHS hospital on July 18 as a case of ‘severe COVID 19 with underlying COPD, hypertension, hypothyroidism.” “The patient had sudden cardiac arrest,” they said. The other victims in the capital include a 60- year-old from HMT and a 55-year-old woman from Shaheedgunj, they said.

As regards Shopian, they said, the victim was a 59-year-old man from Wangan area who was referred from SMHS hospital to CD Hospital on July 15. “The man was suffering from pneumonia. The patient had underlying hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The man was declared dead on July 19/ at 10:00 a.m.,” they added.

Regarding Jammu, they said, the victim was a 48-year-old woman of Karan Bagh Gadi Garh who died less an hour after she was admitted as a case of “bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia” at GMC Jammu.

“She had travel history to Poonch 10 days back as stated by her relatives,” they said, adding, “She diedat 5.50.am 50 minutes after her admission.”

Her body, they said, was shifted to mortuary while sample was collected for COVID testing.

“The test report returned positive,” they added.

The Pulwama one, they said, was 75-year-old woman from Tumulahal area while Baramulla fatalities include a 70-year-old man from Bunglow Bagh and his age-mate from Checkra village who died at CD hospital.

Earlier, an 84-year-old man from Baramulla and other a 50-year-old woman from Rajouri district died at SKIMS Soura and GMC Jammu respectively.

Regarding the octogenarian, they said, he was admitted to SKIMS Soura on July 16 as a case of “bilateral CAP (community acquired pneumonia) in ward 3A.” “The patient expired at 11:15 p.m.,” a senior doctor at SKIMS said.

As regards the quinquagenarian woman from Rajouri, a senior doctor at GMC Jammu said she was admitted to the hospital on July 16. “She passed away at 2 a.m.,” the doctor added.

With these deaths, 226 people in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu have died so far due to the covid-19.

Srinagar district with 62 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla (51), Kulgam (24), 18 each in Shopian, Anantnag and Budgam, Kupwara (13), Pulwama (13), Jammu(12),  Bandipora (5), Ganderbal (4), two each in Rajouri and Doda and one each in Poonch, Udhampur, and Kathua.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 19: As many as 701 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, taking number of cases to 13899, officials said.
They said that 601 cases were reported in Kashmir division and 100 in Jammu division.  Moreover, 646 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and have been discharged from various hospitals, 27 from Jammu Division and 619 from Kashmir Division, they added.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 13899 positive cases, 5844 are Active Positive, 7811 have recovered and 244 have died; 19 in Jammu division and 225 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 507678 test results available, 493779 samples have been tested as negative till July 19, 2020.

Additionally, till date 330430 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 38173 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 13 in Hospital Quarantine, 5844 in hospital isolation and 42662 under home surveillance. Besides, 243494 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 455 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 115 Active Positive, 335 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today) and 05 deaths; Srinagar has 2901 positive cases (including 290 cases reported today) with 1837 Active Positive, 1003 recovered (including 433 cases recovered today), 61 deaths; Anantnag district has 1060 positive cases (including 28 cases reported today), with 338 Active Positive, 704 recovered (including 25 cases recovered today),  18 deaths; Baramulla has 1580 positive cases (including 53 cases reported today) with 634 Active Positive, 896 recovered (including 48 cases recovered today), 50 deaths; Shopian has 1103 positive cases (including 21 cases reported today) with 311 Active Positive, 773 recovered (including 29 cases recovered today) and 19 deaths; Kupwara has 917 positive cases (including 84 cases reported today) with 360 Active Positive, 544 recovered (including 11 cases recovered today) and 13 deaths; Budgam has 770 positive cases (including 21 cases reported today) with 338 Active Positive and 413 recovered cases (including 25 cases recovered today) and 19 deaths; Ganderbal has 291 positive cases (including 24 cases reported today) with 176 active positive cases and 111 recoveries and 04 deaths; Kulgam has 1147 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today), with 331 Active Positive and 792 recoveries (including 01 cases recovered today) and 24 deaths and Pulwama reported 888 positive cases (including 46 cases reported today) with 372 active positive cases and 504 recovered (including 41 cases recovered today) and 12 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 624 positive cases (including 40 cases reported today) with 207 active positive cases and 406 recoveries (including 12 cases recovered today) and 11 deaths; Udhampur has 331 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today)   with 39 active positive cases, 291 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 328 positive cases with 153 Active Positive and 174 recoveries and 01 death; Rajouri has 379 positive cases (including 40 cases reported today) with 268 active positive cases and 109 recovered and 02 deaths; Kathua has 360 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 112 Active positive and 247 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Kishtwar has 68 positive cases with 40 active positive cases and 28 recovered; Ramban has 318 positive cases with 94 active positive and 224 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today); Reasi has 66 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 21 active positive and 45 recovered; Poonch has 152 positive cases with 27 active positive and 124 recoveries and 01 death while Doda has 161 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today)  with 71 active positive cases and 88 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths.

According to the bulletin, of the total 13899 positive cases in J&K 3282 have been reported as travelers while 10617 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.

Geneva, July19: The number of COVID-19 cases in the world has crossed 14 million mark on Sunday, World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The organization’s daily situation update said that Saturday saw the registration of a record 259,848 cases.

The United States reported its largest single-day rise of 71,484 positive cases on Saturday, bringing its total number of infections to 3,544,143.

Brazil and India remain the world’s second and third most affected countries after the United States.

New Delhi, July 19: India’s contagion tally gone past 10.7 lakh on Sunday after the nation recorded 38,902 fresh infections in the past 24 hours, highest single-day spike in fresh cases, the Union Health Ministry update said.

As per the Union Health Ministry, confirmed cases of the pandemic stand at 1077618. The COVID-19 active cases across the country presently stand at 373379.

The country’s death toll now mounted to 26816 after 543 more people reportedly lost their lives to the contagion since Saturday.

On the brighter side, with improving recovery rate, total number of cured nCoV patients across the nation has reached 677423, and the margin continues to increase towards the recoveries as compared to the number of active cases.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,37,91,869 samples have been tested for COVID as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) till Saturday.

Srinagar, July 19: Reacting to reports that life-saving drug Remdesivir (found to be effective against COVID-19) is being sold at Rs 36,000 in black market as it is unavailable, former chief minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah asked J&K administration to organize the supply of the medicine without people having to struggle for it.

Meanwhile, amid reports about Remdesivir being sold in black market, the Maharashtra government has ordered 60,000 vials of the drug at Rs 3,392.48 each.

The reports of shortage of this drug in the Valley are coming at a time when there is an upward spiral in the number of death and positive cases. Of the total 238 fatalities reported since March this year, 203 people have lost their lives due to infection in 45 days, and 223 people in 59 day in J&K, where 441 new positive cases were reported on Saturday, taking the total number of infected persons to 13,198.

“This medicine is unavailable at regular rates & reportedly a regular dose costing ₹6000 is being sold on the black market for ₹36,000.Can someone in the administration please organise supplies of #Remdesivir without people having to struggle for it @listenshahid @kansalrohit69,” Omar, wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

Omar was responding to a tweet which read, “Sos… Urgently Need drug Remdesiver for my father at SKIMS ward 3-A. Please help.”

Jammu, July 19: In view of rising COVID-19 cases Jammu Administration on Sunday declared weekend lockdown from July 24.

As per order issued here by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sushma Chauhan, she said that it has been made to appear to her, in view of the situation emerging due to COVID-19 in and around district Jammu in the recent days, that there is sufficient ground for proceeding under Section 144 of CrPC for immediate prevention or speedy remedy is desirable to prevent danger to human life, health or safety; and

“It has been felt that stricter social distancing norms during the weeks days and strict lockdown during weekends need to be followed to prevent any further spike in the COVID cases,” she said adding that as District Magistrate, Jammu, ordered that from 1800 hours on all Fridays till 0600 hours on all Mondays, beginning from the Friday falling on July 24.

“There shall be complete restriction on movement of individuals, vehicles and all activities within the entire jurisdiction of district Jammu, except the movement for emergency medical requirements for which no pass etc., is required,” she said adding that only local Chemist, fruits, vegetables and dairy shops can remain accessible for community needs and the passengers coming out from and going to the Airport/Railway station shall be permitted to move on production of tickets.

The staff deployed at Airport/Railway station (public officials and belonging to Airlines) shall be allowed to move on production of valid ID proof; government employees of essential services’ departments (including Medical Services) or such other departments as required by government shall be permitted to move on production of lD proofs; No kind of curfew pass etc., shall be issued, there shall be no restriction on the movement of goods carriers/oil/LPG tankers.

“Any violation of the order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005,” said Chauhan.

New Delhi, Jul 19: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday hailed the contribution of media for empowering the people with necessary information, analysis and perspectives about various aspects of the outbreak of COVID-19 and partnering with the anxious people in the ongoing fight against the disease.

Taking social media Facebook for his post titled “Media: Our Partner in Corona Times”, he dealt at length with the role of media over the last few months since the virus outbreak and complimented the media and media persons for “ for effectively discharging their core function of informing, educating and empowering the people to cope with the pandemic and for being an important part of our lives during the crisis as trusted partners”.

Naidu noted that media also set the agenda for debates in the parliamentary institutions with analytical insights into various aspects of the pandemic and it’s impacts on different sections of the society.

Referring to special communication campaigns undertaken by media to promote preventive measures like wearing masks, social distancing, frequent washing of hands, healthy eating, regular exercises, spiritual orientation, he said that spirit of the media for pursuing the mission of informing the people despite running into tough time itself.

“With the economy contracting due to restrictions, advertisement revenues have dried up. Scale of operations had to be adjusted and a good number of media persons had to take a cut in the pay. But, by and large, the media persisted with the mission of empowering the people, when it is needed the most”, Naidu said.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman also said “I follow more closely the print media. The amount of space provided for corona virus and the unfolding pandemic, outscored even war time reporting. Innovative product spaces have been introduced and persisted with to cater to the information hungry readers. Extensive analyses of various aspects of the disease and its impacts still continue in a mission mode.”

However, he sounded caution regarding some sections of television noting that they should have avoided and should, henceforth, desist from hyping the situation as creating panic would further destabilize the already anxious minds of the people.