Srinagar worst affected district with 59 deaths

Srinagar, July 17: Nine more persons — including four patients from Srinagar, two from Pulwama, one each from Budgam, Bandipora and Shopian — died due to COVID-19 in Kashmir valley, taking the death toll due to the infection in the Union Territory of J&K to 231.

With these deaths, 196 people have lost their lives due to infection in 43 days, and 216 people in 57 day in J&K, where 601 new positive cases have been reported on Friday, taking the total number of infected persons to 12,757.

Official sources said that a 58-year-old man, a resident of Hyderpora in Srinagar, was admitted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Bemina, on July 8 for bilateral pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). “The patient, who had tested positive for COVID-19, suffered a massive heart attack and died at around 0005 hrs on Friday,” they said.

Another patient, a 65-year-old man from Parigam in Pulwama was admitted to SKIMS, Soura on Tuesday for bilateral pneumonia and some other problems. “The patient, who was shifted to isolation ward after he tested positive for COVID-19, died late last night,” they said.

They said the test result of a 55-year-old man, a resident of Soibugh in Budgam, came positive for COVID-19 late last night, hours after he died at SKIMS, Soura.

They said six more patients, including three from Srinagar, one each from Shopian, Pulwama and Bandipora died due to the infection on Friday.

Ten districts of Jammu have reported 18 fatalities while 213 people have lost their lived due to COVID-19 in ten districts of Kashmir.

With these fatalities, the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen 48 in Baramulla, which stands at number two. Srinagar is the worst affected district in J&K in terms of causalities with 59 deaths due to COVID-19. Ganderbal district recorded fourth death due to COVID-19 on July 12.

The number of deaths stands at 23 in Kulgam while 18 people have lost their lives to the disease in Shopian, 17 each in Budgan and Anantnag. Thirteen people have lost their lives in Kupwara, 10 in Pulwama and four in Bandipora.

Forty people, including two CRPF jawans, died due to COVID-19 during the first four days of this week.

As many as 48 patients — including 10 persons from Baramulla, 12 from Srinagar, six from Kulgam, three from Anantnag, Kupwara and Budgam, Jammu region, two each from Shopian and Ganderbal, one patient each from Pulwama, Bandipora and a BSF jawan — died due to COVID-19 last week.

As many as 41 people — including nine from Srinagar, 10 from Baramulla, five each from Anantnag, three from Kulgam, Budgam and Shopian, two each from Kupwara and Bandipora, one each from Jammu and Ganderbal — died due to COVID-19 between June 29 and July 5.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 17: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday witnessed highest spike in number of COVID-19 cases as 601 more people tested positive for the deadly virus, taking the total number of cases in the union territory to 12757, officials said.
They said that new cases include 462 from Kashmir and 137 from Jammu. “Moreover, 112 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 63 from Jammu Division and 49 from Kashmir Division,” officials added.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 12757 positive cases, 5968 are Active Positive, 6558 have recovered and 231 have died; 18 in Jammu division and 213 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 489382 test results available, 476625 samples have been tested as negative till July 17, 2020.
Additionally, till date 325291 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 37924 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 13 in Hospital Quarantine, 5968 in hospital isolation and 44305 under home surveillance. Besides, 236850 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 423 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 106 Active Positive, 313 recovered and 04 deaths; Srinagar has 2486 positive cases (including 152 cases reported today) with 1861 Active Positive, 566 recovered, 59 deaths; Anantnag district has 988 positive cases (including 51 cases reported today), with 325 Active Positive, 646 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 17 deaths; Baramulla has 1464 positive cases (including 62 cases reported today) with 834 Active Positive, 582 recovered (including 05 cases recovered today), 48 deaths; Shopian has 1055 positive cases (including 82 cases reported today) with 313 Active Positive, 724 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today) and 18 deaths; Kupwara has 831 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 292 Active Positive, 526 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today) and 13 deaths; Budgam has 708 positive cases (including 46 cases reported today) with 351 Active Positive and 340 recovered cases and 17 deaths; Ganderbal has 251 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 146 active positive cases and 101 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today) and 04 deaths; Kulgam has 1113 positive cases (including 10 cases reported today), with 390 Active Positive and 700 recoveries (including 21 cases recovered today) and 23 deaths and Pulwama reported 794 positive cases (including 19 cases reported today) with 389 active positive cases and 395 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today) and 10 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 569 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 180 active positive cases and 378 recoveries (including 12 cases recovered today) and 11 deaths; Udhampur has 322 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 32 active positive cases, 289 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Samba has 316 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 143 Active Positive and 172 recoveries (including 27 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Rajouri has 333 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 234 active positive cases and 98 recovered and 01 death; Kathua has 349 positive cases (including 21 cases reported today) with 111 Active positive and 237 recovered (including 07 cases reported today) and 01 death; Kishtwar has 68 positive cases (including 10 cases reported today) with 41 active positive cases and 27 recovered; Ramban has 318 positive cases (including 41 cases reported today) with 104 active positive and 214 recoveries (including 05 cases reported today); Reasi has 63 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 18 active positive and 45 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today); Poonch has 152 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 28 active positive and 123 recoveries (including 02 cases reported today) and 01 death while Doda has 154 positive cases with 70 active positive cases and 82 recoveries and 02 deaths.
According to the bulletin, of the total 12757 positive cases in J&K 3147 have been reported as travelers while 9610 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.

New Delhi, July 17 : Within three days India recorded more than one lakh cases of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) taking the tally over one million mark with over 25,000 fatalities, the Union Health Ministry data revealed on Friday.

India recorded its highest spike of 34,956 Covid-19 cases and 687 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally to 10,03,832 cases with a death toll of 25,602 fatalities across the country due to the pandemic.

Within three days from Tuesday (July 14) till Friday, the total number of new cases reached over a lakh. On July 14, India crossed the tally of nine lakh cases.

According to Health Ministry data, as many as 6,35,757 patients have recovered, almost twice the number of active patients at 3,42,473. The rate of recovery has touched 63.33 per cent. India, however, remains the third worst-affected country after the US and Brazil.

During the last 24 hours, 3,33,228 samples were tested, as the testing lab network continues to expand. So far, more than 1,206 labs have enabled people to undergo coronavirus tests.

Maharashtra remained the worst-hit state, with 2,84,281 cases and 11,194 casualties followed by Tamil Nadu with total 1,56,369 cases, including 2,236 deaths.

With 1,652 new coronavirus cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours, the national capitals total Covid-19 tally rose to 1,18,645 cases and 3,545 deaths.

States with more than 10,000 cases included Gujarat (44,552), Uttar Pradesh (45,481), Rajasthan (27,174), Madhya Pradesh (20,378), West Bengal (36,117), Haryana (24,002), Karnataka (51,422), Andhra Pradesh (38,044), Telangana (41,018), Assam (19,754), Jammu and Kashmir (12,156), Kerala (10,275), Odisha (15,392) and Bihar (21,764).

On the global front, the overall number of Covid-19 cases has topped 13.7 million, while the deaths have increased to more than 5,89,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University. (Agencies)

Directs GMCs, district hospitals to increase testing capacity

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 17: Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo today conveyed a meeting to review the preparedness of COVID-19 pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Principal Govt Medical College, Jammu, Mission Director National Health Mission J&K, Director Health Services Jammu, MD JK Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd, HoD Microbiology, GMC Jammu, and Nodal Officer for COVID-19 testing Jammu.

While Director SKIMS Soura, Principal Government Medical Colleges Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri, Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina,  Director Health Service Kashmir, HoDs of Microbiology, SKIMS Soura, Microbiology GMC, Srinagar, Microbiology SKIMS Medical College Bemina and other concerned participated in the meeting via video conferencing.

The meeting discussed several issues regarding the COVID-19 scenario in J&K and the preparedness to combat the pandemic.

Speaking on the occasion, Financial Commissioner impressed upon the principals of all the government medical colleges and hospitals to increase the testing capacity in the hospitals.

He also authorized them to contact private labs so that COVID-19 samples could be sent for testing.

He also directed to increase bed capacity in the hospitals for the patients of COVID-19.

He also directed the Principals of Govt Medical Colleges Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua Rajouri and Doda to immediately start the COVID-19 testing.

He directed the Principals to send their staff for the technical training relating to COVID-19 at GMC, Jammu and Srinagar in order to gain expertise in COVID-19 testing.

He also stressed for enhancing COVID-19 testing for travellers and labourers entering J&K.

He also directed the Principal to send their requirement proposals so that the hospitals would remain readied for any situation to tackle the current pandemic.

Srinagar, July 17: The Srinagar wing of the Jammu and Kashmir remained closed on Friday after come officials there tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The court premises have been closed on the orders by Chief Justice Gita Mittal in light of SOP issued by the government.

“As informed by the Registry, some officials in Srinagar Wing of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir have tested COVID positive. As per the SoPs issued by the Government access to the High Court Premises in Srinagar Wing of the High Court has to remain closed for two days for sanitization purpose,” reads an order issued by the Chief Justice. ‘No person except the sanitization workers will be permitted entry into the High Court premises on 17th and 18th of July,” adds the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

Urgent cases listed today and tomorrow in Srinagar Wing of the High Court shall be taken up on consideration on 20th July. “Dates in other matters will be given by the concerned Bench Secretary and will be posted on the website of High Court of J&K on July 20,” the order added.

Sumaya Jan

Srinagar, July 17: On one evening, when Sajad Ahmad Khan was passing through the lanes of Bemina to return home, he saw relatives of a lady who died of COVID-19 were reluctant to go closer to the coffin.

He ran to his departmental store and took eight Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and gave them to these people who later carried the coffin and buried the lady in the graveyard.

That day he also made up his mind to arrange decent burials for those who die of COVID-19.

He posted on his Facebook page, ‘Athwaas’ that he can be contacted if any family wants burial of any COVID victim.

“Since then I am receiving calls from people for burial of those who died due to COVID. We have 20 people in our team who have been divided into five groups with four persons each. After burying a dead body, one group goes into quarantine for 14 days,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

So far, they have arranged almost 20 burials of COVID victims in Srinagar.

“All most everywhere, people are raising objections and do not want COVID victims to be buried in their graveyard. This stigma has to end. We should help each other in this crisis like we did during floods,” Khan, the ex-banker said.

Khan, 37, provides all the equipment to his team (volunteers) like personal protection equipment (PPE) kits, sanitisers and other things.

Before that he also provided PPE to various doctors who were fighting the COVID in hospitals.

“There are people who don’t know how to bury a dead body. We have kept everything available like PPEs, rope and other things which are needed,” he said.

Some people also offer them money but they don’t take anything from bereaved families.

“We do it voluntarily to help people amid crises. The stigma attached to COVID positive patients should end. They are among us. Anyone can catch this infection then why dishonor these dead bodies,” he asked. He has two children, mother and wife in his family.

Before starting grocery shop, he was working in a bank then started his own travel agency.

“Since childhood I wanted to do something for society. My father expired during my studies. I used to earn and spend on my education,” he said, who did his masters in Mass Communication from Bangalore University.

Jammu and Kashmir has reported over 12,000 positive cases. The virus claimed over 224 lives-206 deaths in Kashmir 18 in Jammu- respectively till July 16.

The World Health Organisation has also issued guidelines for managing bodies of those who die of COVID-19 saying, “cadavers do not transmit disease”.

The Indian Health Ministry guidelines state that “there is unlikely to be an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling body.”

Srinagar, July 17:  Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s Corporate Office in Srinagar was on Friday closed by the authorities to carry out a massive sanitization drive for two days.

The corporate office, situated near Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) here was closed after many of its employees were tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the bank’s corporate office was closed by the authorities to carry out a massive fumigation drive for two days.

“The office will remain closed for days. During these two days, a massive sanitization process will be carried out at the office,” a top official in J&K Bank said.

He added that the office was closed at around 12:30 PM today after the officials from district administration asked them to close the office for a massive sanitization drive, adding that the office will reopen on Monday. Earlier, this week, at least 26 employees at the Corporate office had tested positive for the deadly virus.

Medicos go on strike, demand security for resuming work
Srinagar, July 17: The doctors and other paramedical staff went on strike Friday at Srinagar’s SMHS hospital after some miscreants assaulted a female doctors and vandalised the hospital property.

Earlier in the day, attendants as per the official sources questioned the doctors for remaining absent from their duties.

The attendants told KNO that the doctors remained absent from their duties. “Soon after they visited the ward, we questioned them for remaining absent from their duties,” they said.

However, the officials said that the argument between the attendants and doctors turned ugly following which the attendants assaulted a female doctor.

Officials said that the incident later sparked protest by doctors, who later began a strike and demanded security for themselves in the hospital.

Principal GMC, Dr. Samia Rasheed said that a female doctor who was busy with an emergency case at the hospital during which some of the attendants attacked her and pelted stones on the doctors and vandalized the property.

“After the act, the doctors went on strike and have been demanding security for them. I am with them in their demands and the doctors have decided to resume their work only after proper security is provided to them,” she said.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole told KNO that an FIR has already been registered in this regard.

He said that miscreants involved in the act have been identified, adding that at least three persons have also been detained.

He said that strict action will be taken against the miscreants for assaulting the doctor and vandalizing the hospital property.

Asked about the demands of doctors who are on strike, Pole said that the local police station is already close to the hospital and they have been taking care of the incidents taking place at the hospital.

New Delhi, Jul 17: There is no community spread of the COVID contagion yet in India, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the WHO’s latest released status report on the COVID 19, figures till July 16 have been included, and the organisation in its report has said that in the South East Asian countries, there are two nations that are Bangladesh and Indonessia, which have community spread of COVID 19.

As per the WHO report, India, Nepal, Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Myanmar do not have community spread of the virus yet.

It said that Bhutan and East Timor have very less cases of Corona virus, and as per the data upto July 16 that is Thursday, Bhutan had 84 COVID cases, while Eastern Timor has 24 confirmed cases of the virus spread.

Amongst the South East Asian nations, it is India that has maximum number of the COVID cases, standing at 968876 till Thursday, followed by Bandladesh with 193590, then Indonesia with case count of 80094, Nepal with 17177 cases, Thailand 3236, Maldives 2831, Sri Lanka 2674 and Myanmar with 337 contagion cases, as per the WHO’s report.

It further said that in these nations, India has the highest number of pandemic deaths.

Bangladesh has recorded 2457 COVID deaths, Indonesia 3797, Nepal 39, Thailand 58, Maldives 14, Sri Lanka 11 and Myanmar has six deaths due to the contagion.

As per WHO, there has been no COVID death in Bhutan and Timor.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring country Pakistan has so far had 5426 COVID fatalities till Thursday, while the contagion tally of the nation is 257914.