Jehnageer Ganaie

Srinagar, July 15: The government on Wednesday directed all the hospitals not to make any press briefing on COVID related activities and submit the daily reports to the National Health Mission (NHM) for its completion and preparation of the reports.

An order issued by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Duloo, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reads that “It has been observed that all the institutions at their own are giving official statements to the press / electronic media separately regarding the COVID Lab testing conducted in their respective institutions, as a result, there is every likelihood of confusion on the exact number of total lab tests being carried out, in all the labs of the UT.”

“The assignment of press briefing has been given to the Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, who after compilation of the reports of all the labs, briefs the media about the daily activities related to COVID including tab testing,” it added.

“It is therefore, impressed upon on all the Head of the Institutions to ensure that no such press briefing on COVID related activities including lab testing are given and the daily reports are submitted to the National Health Mission for its compilation and preparation of the reports,” Duloo said in an order.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, July 15: The deadly COVID-19  pandemic has wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir UT in the last fortnight as the virus has claimed 105 lives in JK of which 99 were reported in the Valley alone and rest in Jammu.

Official data available with KNO reveals that more than 50 percent deaths related to COVID-19 were witnessed in last 15 days in Jammu and Kashmir.

“In the first 115 days (from March 08-June 30), 101 Covid-19 deaths were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, 89 in Kashmir and 12 in Jammu division,” the data reveals.

Till July 1, 88.11 percent deaths were recorded in Kashmir while 11.89 percent were reported in Jammu division. “From July 1 to July 15, 105 COVID-19 deaths were witnessed in J&K which is around 51 percent of the total deaths,” the data adds.

Among 105 deaths in the ongoing month, 99 were from Kashmir while only six were from Jammu division which means 94.99 percent of Covid related deaths witnessed in J&K were from Kashmir while 5.01 percent are from Jammu division.

Overall out of 206 deaths related to Covid-19 in J&K since the outbreak of pandemic, 188 are from Kashmir while as 18 are from Jammu division, officials said.

“So the share of deaths of Kashmir division is 91.26 percent and share of deaths related to Covid-19 of division Jammu is 8.7 percent,” the figures reveal.  “Till Tuesday (July 14) evening, out of total 11173 positive cases, 8785 were from Kashmir division while as 2388 were from Jammu division.

“So the share of Kashmir division in total positive cases is 78.62 percent while as 21.37 percent are from Jammu division,” the figures state.

The first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in India was reported on 30 January 2020. The virus, originated from Wuhan, China.

Slowly, the pandemic spread to various states and union territories including the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Two suspected cases with high virus load were detected and isolated on March 4, at Government Medical College, Jammu. One of them became the first confirmed positive case on March 9. Both individuals had a travel history to Iran.

Srinagar, July 15: SKIMS Soura has created a helpline for plasma donation.
Anyone who has recovered from Covid-19 and wants to donate plasma can contact the numbers issued by the SKIMS.

In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the helpline to coordinate for plasma donation at SKIMS has been started in the Department of Blood Transfusion& Immunohematology. Please feel-free to call on following cell numbers for plasma donation, or if you need any other information pertaining to subject: Dr. Zakir Ahmad 6005144453/8491032264, Dr. Huzaifa Tak 9419012100, Dr Irfan Ahmad 7780804672, Dr Sabha Malik 906578871.

New Delhi, Jul 15: India’s coronavirus tally surged to 9,36,181 on Wednesday after a record spike of 29,429 cases was recorded in the past 24 hrs, Union Health Ministry said in its daily update.

The death toll climbed to 24,309 with 582 people succumbing to the infection since Tuesday.

Recording the highest ever patients cured in a single day, the health ministry said that 20,572 patients were declared cured, thereby, taking the number of recoveries to 5,92,031.

The recovery rate currently stands at 63.23 per cent as the number of recoveries exceeds active cases, which stands at 3,19,840 by 2.72 lakh.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1.24 crore samples had been tested for COVID-19 till July 14, including 3.2 lakh samples tested on Tuesday.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 15: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today appealed to people asking them to wear masks in public places and observe social distancing norms.

He said that in view of the recent spike in number of Covid-19 cases across J&K it is obligatory for all irrespective of age, gender and profession to wear masks and religiously follow medical advisories regarding social distancing and sanitization measures that are being issued by the administration from time to time.

Emphasizing the use of masks at all public places, the Advisor said that recent studies have shown that use of masks has been the most effective way to reduce person-to-person spread of coronavirus.

He said that it has been found that people showing laxity in taking preventive measures are falling prey to this pandemic. He appealed to the public to observe social distancing norms and cooperate with the government in checking the spread of coronavirus.

In his message to the public, the Advisor said that there is absolutely no scope for showing any sort of negligence on part of anybody and none should venture out without wearing a face mask.

He said that people showing disregard for these necessary measures would be penalized stringently. He earnestly requested people not to interact with those violating the advisories and educate each other about use of face masks and maintaining social distancing protocols.

Srinagar, July 15: District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhar, on Wednesday ordered all Medical Superintendents, Deputy MS, BMO, ZMOs and Medical Officers to impose fine of Rs 1000/- on persons without masks within the premises of their respective hospitals, zones and health centers.

An order issued by DM reads, “In continuation with order No. DCS/PS/20/1209-25 dated 15.07.2020, it is hereby ordered that Medical Superintendents and Deputy Medical Superintendents of all hospitals in District Srinagar, BMO/ZMOs and Medical Officers in-charge of Health Block/Zones/Centre are authorized to impose fine of Rs. 1000/- on persons without masks within the premises of their respective hospitals/zones/health centers”,

“Furthermore, Nodal Officers of 25 Zonal Committees constituted vide order No. DCS/PS/171-82 dated 08.04.2020 shall be authorized to impose fines within their zones of operation”, order reads.

All health officials have been directed that the bill books shall be made available to all and the amount of fine imposed shall be deposited in respective treasure offices on daily basis. (KNS)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 15: The administration of S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Wednesday cancelled summer vacations and sanctioned leaves of all staff members in the premier healthcare institute in the valley in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 has so far claimed over 200 lives while 11,000 people have been infected in J&K, where 166 people have died due to virus in the last 41 days.

A spokesperson of SKIMS said that all faculty and staff members of the SKIMS have been informed that in view of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all leaves of any kind sanctioned to the staff members except leave sanctioned on medical grounds/maternity leave shall stand cancelled.

“Summer vacation of all departments with effect from July 16, 2020 to July 29, 2020(Ist half) and August 1, 2020 to August 14, 2020 (2nd half) stand cancelled,” he said.

He said as such it is impressed upon all the faculty and staff members to remain available at their places of positing in their respective departments.

Srinagar, July 15: The main fee collection centre of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Srinagar, which remained closed since Monday, reopened on Wednesday afternoon.

The office was closed after an official, who had returned from Maharashtra after availing leave tested positive for COVID 19.

The main collection centre of the BSNL, about 40 feet from UNI office, remained crowded during the working hours as people from different parts of the city are depositing their landline, broadband and mobile bills.

However, since Monday all bill collection counters remained closed. Large number of people who had come to deposit their bills had to leave home after a CRPF personnel posted at the main gate said they have instructions not to allow anyone to enter the office complex.

“We were told that an official had tested positive for coronavirus,” he said, adding the entire complex, including security room were sanitised.

The office reopened this afternoon again and only two counters were working.

We rescued him, says IGP Kumar

Peerzada Waseem

Sopore, July 15: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president for Rafiabad constituency and vice president Municipal Committee (MC) Watergam, Sopore, who was abducted by the unknown men this morning, walked home in the evening with police claiming that it rescued him.

“We rescued him,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), without elaborating further. Family members of BJP leader, also confirmed that he reached home this evening “all of a sudden.”

Mehrajudin Malla, Son of Ghulam Ahmed of Maraizgund had left his home at 9 am to reach his friend’s house but he was allegedly abducted on way to his friend’s home.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Javiad Iqbal had told KNO that they had put in all efforts to trace missing BJP leader, who is also VP MC Watergam.  Malla’s  daughter had released a video appealing one and all to ensure return of her father if he is with them. “My father is only hope for us, so if he is with somebody, please allow him to return home.

He left his home in the morning to attend a marriage function at this friend’s house, but he was kidnapped mid-way by some unknown people. Please allow my father to join back his family, we have no support other than him,” she had said in a video message.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, July 14: The Jammu and Kashmir police’s security wing has issued a security advisory to the political leaders ’who come under their list’ to refrain from unnecessary travel and inform the police in advance in case there is an emergency visit or tour.

The advisory comes after the deadly attack on the BJP’s young face in north Kashmir’s Bandipora on July 8.

Quoting sources news agency KINS said that scores of leaders, including those who are protected already had sought an increase in their security cover in the wake of fresh security threats.

“One of the BJP leader’s had sought an increase in the security cover,” sources maintained.

However, in response, the leader has been advised to refrain from taking unnecessary visits and not to venture out unnecessarily,” sources maintained.

The communique sent to the BJP leader who is active in the party affairs here in Srinagar reads, “In case there is a need for urgent political trip or tour, the security wing of the police and the concerned police station should be informed in advance for additional deployment of forces for security cover”.

“It is advised to follow the advisor/ SOP/ Guidelines issued from time to time which is in the best interest of your personnel security and safety,” it reads

A senior police officer told KINS that the advisory was not for any particular leader but all the political leaders and workers, who are protected persons, in the wake of fresh threats issued to them by the militants after an attack on a young BJP leader in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

“We have urged BJP and other political leaders to avoid unnecessary travel so that they remain safe. We have also asked them to inform us in advance in case they really need to go out for party related activities so that additional security will be provided to them,” the officer said, adding that not informing the security agencies about political events or other important visits can “jeopardize the security of a particular leader.”

One of the top officials in the police told KINS that issuing advisories to the protected political leaders is a routine matter. “It is not that we have issued an advisory for the first time. Whenever there is a threat perception we issue advisory so that protected leaders can take extra precautions,” said the official.