Tally mounts to 719665; death toll 20160

New Delhi, July 7: India’s COVID-19 tally on Tuesday surged past seven lakh-mark after the country recorded a sharp spike of 22252 infections in the past 24 hours.

According to the Union Health Ministry update, the confirmed cases presently stand at 719665 across the country.

Deaths due to the lethal virus in the country have crossed the 20 thousand-mark to 20160.

Cases under the active medical supervision are 259557, as per the government update, while, there is an improvement on the recoveries front, with total number of cured and discharged COVID patients has risen to 439948 so far.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 7: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today chaired 4th consecutive weekly meeting here to discuss the prevailing Covid-19 situation and its management in Kashmir division.

While reviewing the steps taken to check the spread of virus, the Div Com stressed all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict enforcement of wearing masks and social distancing besides following SOPs in their respective districts.

Pole reiterated the importance of aggressive testing to quickly trace, track and isolate Covid-19 positive cases.

He said that apart from maximising the existing testing capacity, there must be constant efforts to expand it and the authorities of SKIMS Bemina were directed to increase testing facility and switch over to triple shift to achieve targets.

The Div Com asked all Deputy Commissioners, Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents to counter fake propaganda regarding Covid-19 pandemic.

He also emphasized that admission of non co-morbid patients in tertiary care hospitals should usually be avoided for better treatment of comorbid patients.

The Div Com instructed the authorities of the Health department to give focused attention to the sampling process and clear all pendency of samples in their respective laboratories.

The Div Com directed for establishment of telephonic help desk at district level regarding Covid-19 for the convenience of general public.

He also asked for increasing the coverage of Arogya Setu App to identify the hotspots so that precautionary measures are taken well in advance.

Later, the Div Com received first hand appraisal from all Deputy Commissioners of valley regarding the Covid-19 containment and management measures undertaken by authorities.

He stressed on giving thrust on IEC campaign to aware people about preventive measures to be taken in Covid-19 fighting and directed for conducting breathing exercise workshops at district and divisional level to help people improve respiratory systems which is pivotal in fighting Covid-19.

While taking serious note of violation of Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs, the Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to deal strictly with violators and impose fines on them.

Among others, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhury, OSD Health and Medical Education, Dr Owais Ahmad, Principal GMC, Srinagar, Nodal Officer, Isolation (Hospitals), Lab Coordinator J&K, Nodal Officers Covid-19 of GMC, Srinagar, SKIMS and JVC Bemina were present in meeting, While as the Deputy Commissioners of all Kashmir districts and Director SKIMS participated in the meeting through video Conferencing.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jul 7: One hundred and five people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in 33 days in Jammu and Kashmir where the positive are nearing 9000 mark.

The death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 27 in Baramulla, which stand at number two. Srinagar is the worst affected district in J&K in terms of causalities with 34 deaths. Ganderbal district recorded the first death due to COVID-19 on Saturday.

The number of death has swelled to 17 in Kulgam while 11 people have lost their lives to the disease in Anantnag. Shopian with 13 deaths is at number four. Ten people have lost their lives in Budgam, seven in Kupwara, four in Pulwama and two in Bandipora.

As many as 39 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 last week.

Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar, July 7: The medical experts in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday ruled out the possibilities of COVID-19 being an airborne disease stating that there was no substantial evidence to prove that the deadly virus being airborne.
In a letter to the world health organization (WHO), many scientists had stated that the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19) was an airborne disease and suggested it to revise the recommendations.

In an exclusive chat with KNO Valley’s top medical experts ruled out the possibility of COVID-19 being an airborne stating that scientists from various parts of the globe have filed their observation to WHO. “There is no concrete and convening data to prove that this disease is airborne,” the experts said.

Dr. Naveed Shah, head of the department (HOD), chest disease hospital, Srinagar, told KNO that some scientists have given their view but there is no concrete evidence about the same. “It has to be scientifically proven that this disease is airborne,” said Shah, who was tested positive himself for the deadly virus. He, however, fought back and defeated the virus. Dr Shah, who is on the forefront of Covid-19 battle, was recently tested negative after remaining in quarantine for over two weeks.

He said as of now what they know is that the virus is contracted from person to others through droplets when one coughs or sneezes. “It can be contained by use of a mask but the airborne disease doesn’t need droplets to sustain,” Dr Shah said.

Valley’s top influenza expert, Dr Nisar ul Hassan, who is also associate professor medicine at Government medical college (GMC) Srinagar, told KNO that had it been airborne disease by now each and every one would have got infected.

He said the precautionary measures like, face masks, social distancing are immaterial in case the virus was airborne. “It would be everywhere if it is in the air and anybody can get infected but there is no clear evidence about the same. The scientists who have written a letter to WHO to change the guidelines are also not convinced as to what the virus is actually,” Dr Nisar said.

He said there was a study in China that  virus spread was seen at 9 feet distance also but they saw it in an intensive care unit (ICU) of hospital where the patients were being intubated and given nebulization.

Dr Nisar said as of now there is no concrete study and observation about COVID-19 being an airborne disease. “I still will be reluctant to call this disease airborne. It spreads with the coughing, sneezing once one is in close contact,” he said.

He said the scientists who framed the letter have limitations and observations which basically are not scientifically proven and have not done research or study about the same as they are just speculating.

“We should not trigger more fear among people by calling the disease airborne,” he said. Dr Nisar said that today morning WHO clarified that there is no concrete evidence to say that coronavirus is an airborne disease.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 7: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today exhorted upon the concerned authorities for aggressive testing of co-morbid persons and red zone areas in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus in Jammu and Kashmir.

Advisor made these remarks while chairing a review meeting of health department at the Civil Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Samir Ahmad Mattoo and other concerned officials of the department.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Bhatnagar asked the officials to launch an aggressive testing campaign in red zone areas and  for co-morbid persons besides to keep a constant check on target groups to contain the spread of infection. He impressed upon the officials to encourage people for self reporting and testing in case of any symptoms. “Encourage local population to visit flu clinics and fever clinics in case of any symptoms,” Advisor Bhatnagar said.

He also urged upon the officials to scale up the on-spot sample collection in red zone areas besides increasing the contact tracing of positive cases.

The Advisor asked the officials to use the services of ASHA Workers and Multi-purpose workers aggressively for contact tracing besides mobile testing vans should also be deployed to maximize the reach of testing.He stressed upon the officials to  use  Swasthya Nidhi Application in best possible manner for efficient data collection related to COVID-19.

Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education informed the Advisor that Clinical Management Protocols issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, are being religiously followed in all the health facilities across J&K besides other SOPs are being regularly maintained while dealing with situation arisen due to Pandemic COVID-19. He also informed the meeting that sufficient stock of medical supplies and PPE kits is available with the department.

Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officials that normal patient care should be properly maintained besides general health services should be provided efficiently in all health centres. He also asked the officials to conduct regular mobile camps in far flung areas so that public can be provided health care facilities at their doorsteps.

Appreciating the J&K Health Department for COVID related work, Advisor Bhatnagar said that Jammu and Kashmir is performing much better than several states and UTs of rest of the country.

Srinagar, July 7:  Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said people in Kashmir valley are ignoring recommended precautions which is responsible for surge in cases and deaths due to the novel Coronavirus.

“People are showing complete disregard to health guidelines,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.

He said they are mingling freely and are not wearing face masks. “People have started thronging public parks, gardens and picnic spots. Playing fields are full, roads are chock-a- block with traffic and markets are crowded,” he added.

Dr Hassan said such irresponsible behavior has unleashed a new wave of the virus which is killing people. “Lifting lockdown and reopening economic activities doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over. It is understandable that people are tired of stay at home and want to get on with their life – they are tired of wearing face masks particularly when it is hot outside. And people are weary of distancing with friends and family members,” he said.

However, he said it is important to know that the virus can become dangerous if people abandon safety measures. “With no vaccine, these measures are the only effective tools to tackle the virus,” he said.

Dr Hassan said most of the population in Kashmir is susceptible to Covid-19 infection and letting down the guard would mean that we are going to see more people to become ill and many will die. “We are in a critical phase of pandemic. Every month of renewed vigilance is crucial – limiting transmission for a few more months could make a huge difference in illnesses and deaths,” he said.

The DAK president said people should continue to follow social distancing norms and wear face mask when in public. “We should shun the attitude where rules are followed only if they are enforced,” he said.

“If people are not careful and don’t act responsibly, the situation will spin out of control. We will lose both the economy and the lives,” he added.

Asks ACB to ‘expedite drive against corrupt element ’

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, July 7:  Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandera Muru has directed the officers to pull-up thier socks to address issues confronting the people. He has also asked them to ensure that development works are completed on a fast track basis.

Chairing series of review of meetings in the past few days through video conferencing, the LG reviewed functioning of each department, and directed the head of every department to ensure that there is no laxity given the present pandemic related issues and that all vital projects are taken up and completed on fast track basis.

Sources privy to the meetings told KINS that the LG Murmu also ordered for upgrading Srinagar and stated that at least three fly-overs be constructed in a stipulated time frame.

Sources said that LG also sought progress reports on various ongoing developmental works going in Srinagar and other districts of J&K. “He directed heads of construction agencies and all the concerned officials to ensure timely completion of all the ongoing projects. He stressed on taking up new projects in a time bound manner,” sources said, adding that LG Murmu warned the officials that “there should be no complacency while performing their duties.”

He also directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to speed up their investigations and widen the ambit to catch the big fish involved in corruption. The LG, sources said, stressed on taking serious action against the corrupt officials in any department without any further delay and praised the efforts being put in by the ACB in curbing the Corruption in the J&K UT.

He directed administrative secretaries and advisors to remain present for the public grievance redressal system. “People should not suffer at cost. All officers must remain present to listen to the people’s woes and address them as well,” the LG, as per sources, told the meeting. He also stated that Covid-19 should in no case be made an excuse for not working, sources said.

In a separate review meeting about health care facilities, the LG directed the concerned officials to ensure all the facilities for the people visiting different hospitals. “He stressed on upgrading facilities in all the hospitals across the J&K UT for the benefit of the poor and others who visit hospitals,” he said.

Stresses on organic farming, increasing productivity of small and marginal farmers through technological interventions

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 7: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today called for branding of local produce of Agriculture and allied sector as Geographical Indications for their distinctive identity and better marketing globally. The Lt Governor stated this while launching Kisan Pakhwada here at Raj Bhavan.

Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Sh. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar (through video conferencing); Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, Sh. Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Sh. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture/Horticulture & Cooperatives department; Sh. R K Chhibber, Chairman J&K Bank; Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora (through Video Conferencing), besides senior officers were present on the occasion.

The Lt Governor emphasized on enhancing agricultural productivity for small and marginal farmers through technological interventions. Since the landholdings per capita are shrinking, increasing productivity is the key to sustainable Agriculture, he said. He called for developing Mobile based Applications and softwares etc for better interface with the farming community.

Stressing on organic farming, he observed that more and more Soil Health Cards must be issued to the farmers, which would lead to better yield and more income, while obviating the excess use of chemicals in the agricultural fields.

The Lt Governor further called for 100% saturation of Kisan Credit Cards, besides developing backward-forward linkages for improved marketing opportunities for the farmers’ produce.

Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam observed that agriculture and allied sector contributes about 30% to the GDP of J&K, with two-third of the population dependent on agriculture. Around 9.8 lakh beneficiaries have benefited under PM Kisan Nidhi scheme, which is among the best in the country, he added.

Principal Secretary to the Government, Agriculture & Horticulture department, Navin Kumar Choudhary informed that Basmati of RS Pura has qualified all the international parameters for declaring it as an ‘Organic product’.

While highlighting initiatives of the Government for the development of Agriculture and allied sector, he informed that there are 9 lakh active Kisan Credit Card holders in J&K, who would be advanced the credit, saturating the KCC segment and thereby doubling the rural credit.

Recent and upcoming interventions in the Agriculture sector include Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the Apple of J&K  to provide optimum value to the apple growers, providing +GI tag to the Saffron of Kashmir, setting up of a national Electronic Marketing platform (eNAM) in the mandies of J&K for facilitating online trade of fruit etc. Due to large scale production of quality trout in Anantnag, the district has been declared as Trout District of India, it was informed.

Chairman J&K Bank, RK Chhibber informed about the coverage under PM KISSAN, KCC etc, besides disbursements under priority sector lending, as also about the Bank’s working during COVID-19. He briefed that under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, J&K Bank is providing hassle free credit facilities at an effective rate of interest at 4%, subject to terms and conditions of prompt repayment with no guarantee and no mortgage for loan upto Rs 1.60 lakhs.

Deputy Commissioners of 6 Districts – Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara handed over sanction letters and cheques of loans under Kisan Credit Cards to the beneficiaries during the launching ceremony of Kisan Pakhwada.

Meanwhile, a book on Horticulture in Kashmir was also launched by the Lt Governor. He advised for translation of the book in local languages to reach out to the larger population.

Srinagar, July 7: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today announced that the gardens, parks throughout the UT of J&K would be thrown open for general public from tomorrow. The announcement was made amid the gradual unlocking process of  COVID-19 pandemic across the nation.

On the occasion Commissioner Secretary Tourism & Culture, Zubair Ahmad and Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Gardens & Parks Sheikh Fayaz were also present.

The Advisor further announced that all the visitors should strictly observe the already given protocols and medical advises related to Covid-19 from time to time. He requested the general public to wear face masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing norms both inside and outside these picnic spots. He also directed the authorities to penalize those found violating the precautionary measures.

The Advisor was informed that the floriculture department would use thermal screening at the entry gates of all these gardens, parks to check visitors for any Covid-19symptoms. Hand sanitizers would also be made available by the department for the use of visitors, the Advisor was informed.

Srinagar, July 7: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested one more person connection with Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in February 2019, official sources said here on Tuesday.

With his arrest, seven people have been apprehended by the investigation agency in the case.

They said in the continuing investigation of the Pulwama attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in an IED blast on February 14, 2019, NIA arrested one more accused, identified as Bilal Ahmed Kuchey, a resident of Hajibal, Kakapora in Pulwama.

They said Kuchey, who runs a sawmill near his residence, is a militant associate. “The accused harboured and extended logistic support to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants involved in the Pulwama attack,” they said.

“The main perpetrators in the case stayed in his house and he further introduced them to other Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who provided safe houses during their stay and planning of the attack,” they said.

They said the accused provided the JeM militants with high-end mobile phones, which were used by them to communicate with the Pakistan-based JeM leadership as well as among themselves for giving final touches to their planning and for execution of the attack. “Further, mobile phone provided by him was also used for recording the video clip of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which became viral after the attack,” they said.

They said Kuchey was produced on July 6 before NIA Special Court, which granted ten days remand to the agency for interrogation. “This is the seventh arrest made by NIA in this case so far,” they said, adding investigation in this case is in progress.