Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a steep rise in the cases of novel Coronavirus recently. The cases have risen to 4000 and more than half of the cases were added in around a fortnight. Also, 41 people become victims of the covid-19 disease—27 people succumb to virus in 20 days alone.
The steep rise is happening as a new phase in the J&K’s tryst with the deadly virus is beginning from Monday. Jammu and Kashmir has issued new guidelines for how the live goes about amid the pandemic. In keeping with the statements by some top functionaries that life needs to go with the virus, the government has allowed phased resumption of social and economic activities across the J&K. Though some kind of relaxation of restrictions had begun in early last month, the new guidelines allowed significant activities in line with procedures by the MHA that speaks a different language from the notifications issued earlier. Activities can resume in malls, hotels, restaurants, and places of worship in non-containment zones and movement of goods and persons has been allowed with a rider.
Given the toll on people’s livelihoods, and the stress on the economy in general, easing the stringent lockdown had become necessary, thus is the feeling in official circles. At the same time, the disease continues to rage in J&K. There have been spikes in the caseload and unfortunately, they include some senior officers and frontline healthcare workers. The pathogen is thus affecting even the people who should otherwise be taking most precautions.
This sudden surge in the numbers has raised the fear of the community transmission in the region even though the government remains tight-lipped, taking refuge in ongoing surveys. The situation may aggravate as the government takes steps to open up the economy. At the same time, the government cannot continue with the lockdown. It has already wrought disaster with the economy, more so, in Kashmir which has already been under lockdown for the past at least ten months. There is already telling loss of employment even as important sectors of the economy like tourism, horticulture, handicrafts have been hit hard. Amidst this situation, the government needs to keep talking to people about the virus that doesn’t have any vaccine or medicine yet. It should not lose sight of the importance of conveying the message of caution and safety. There is a need to create more awareness about social distancing norms and take action against the people and the businessmen who violate it.
New Phase Of Life Amid Virus
COVID-19: J&K witnesses highest spike, 620 test positive, tally 4087
>583 in Kashmir 37 in Jammu; Non-local tailor dies, toll mounts to 41
> Fresh cases include 60 pregnant women, 24 health workers, three prisoners
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday recorded yet another COVID death of a non-local tailor taking the toll to 41, while as the Union Territory witnessed record number of 620 fresh cases in the past 24 hours triggering a fresh wave of fear and panic across J&K.
The 620 new cases include 60 pregnant women, 24 health workers, three prisoners and many security forces personnel. The total number of cases in UT have climbed 4087 while as death toll due to COVID pandemic has reached 41 of which 36, including a non-local tailor, have been recorded in Kashmir and five in Jammu region.
Officials told KNO that among new 620 new cases, 58 were tested positive at SKIMS, over 500 at CD hospital, 3 at JVC Bemina, 8 at army’s command hospital Udhampur and rest at other hospitals.
Among 620 new cases, 583 belong to Kashmir division while as 37 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached to 3198 including 1016 recoveries and 36 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached to 889 including 200 recoveries and 5 deaths.
The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 2830 including 2146 from Kashmir division and 684 from Jammu division.
Cases tested positive in J&K include 59 from Anantnag, 161 from Kulgam, 87 from Srinagar, 18 from Budgam, 7 from Kupwara, 24 from Shopian, 132 from Baramulla, 21 from Bandipora, 60 from Pulwama and 14 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 37 from Jammu division include include 22 from Jammu, 1 each from Poonch and Udhampur, , 2 each from Kuthua and Samba, 4 from Rajouri and 5 from Doda.
Dr G H Yatoo Nodal officer for covid-19 at SKIMS said that out of 2861 samples tested at the virology Lab 58 were tested positive. The positive cases include 33 from Baramulla, 07 from Anantnag, 06 from Kupwara, 05 from Kulgam, 03 each from Srinagar and Budgam and one from Shopian.
Officials from JVC Bemina said that out of 493 samples tested at the hospital, 3 were tested positive including a 32 year old female from Chatabal and 34 and 38 year old males from Budgam. Lt Col Inam Danish Khan from Army’s Command Hospital Udhampur said that out 8 samples were tested positive at the hospital including 4 each from Kishtiwar and Doda.
Officials from CD hospital said that Saturday late night 253 samples were tested positive at the hospital including over a dozen health workers and over 50 pregnant ladies. They said that on Sunday 283 samples were tested positive at the hospital which includes 9 policemen, 3 prisoners, around 30 health workers besides 9 pregnant ladies.
Meanwhile, with the death of a non-local resident, the death toll of COVID-19 positive patients in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 41 including 36 from Kashmir division (including a non-J&K resident) and five from Jammu.
The 38-year-old, a resident of Kolkata, and a tailor by profession died late night yesterday at SMHS hospital Srinagar and his samples tested positive for the COVID-19 today.
Don’t be complacent, experts warn people
Srinagar, June 7: As government employees were directed to attend their offices regularly from Saturday onwards in the Union Territory (UT) of J&K after three months of Coronavirus-induced lockdown, health experts have urged people to strictly follow the health guidelines.
Till Sunday 41 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 and about 3500 have been infected by it.
The UT administration had directed employees to attend offices regularly from Saturday onwards. However, the attendance of the employees was very less due to non availability of transport as public transport remained suspended. The administration also held a series of meetings with religious leaders on how to reopen the holy places.
Meanwhile, health experts have appealed to people to completely follow the prescribed guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures(SOP)’s so as to contain the spread of Corona virus and not show any laxity while the restrictions have been eased.
Urging people to be serious about taking safety measures, Dr Rouf Hussain Rather, MD Community Medicine, presently working as Public Health Expert at Covid Control Room, Divisional Commissioner’s Office Kashmir, said that all efforts are being made to prevent spread of the coronavirus and people should in no way become complacent in observance of personal health guidelines.
With the Government likely to announce more relaxations and easing of restrictions for resumption of economic activities in various sectors which have suffered severely during the lockdown period, Dr Rather said that the same should not be construed as a decline in threat of the infection and its further spread.
Dr Rather said that people should realize that the Government has laid down guidelines for the public to remain unharmed from corona virus but the COVID-19 per se is ruthless.
He felt that people should now become more cautious and cooperate with authorities to fight this disease in Kashmir.
Experts are stressing on following guidelines in letter and spirit and appealing to people to come out of their homes only when it isunavoidable, adding that the elderly and children in particular must stay indoors.
They reiterated that compulsory use of face mask and maintaining social distancing protocol when outdoors is necessary and people must avoid visiting crowded places, avoid surface touching with hands, avoid hands touching mouth, nose or eyes, maintain hand hygiene, use sanitizers, take shower and wash clothes with detergent after returning from work places.
Ahead of Unlock-I, India registers 9,971 fresh cases, tally crosses 2.46 lakh mark; death toll nears 7000
New Delhi, June 7: As India enters into ‘Unlock 1’ phase with many sectors set to reopen on Monday after over two-month long nationwide shutdown, India registered its highest single-day spike of COVID-19 cases for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday with 9,971 new infections. The country’s total tally now stands at 2,46,628, while the death toll at to 6,929, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Maharashtra remained the worst-hit as its COVID-19 tally rose to 85,975 with 3,007 new cases, while the fatality count mounted by 91, including 61 deaths in Mumbai, to 3,060, state Health department said.
The recovery rate for Maharashtra, which has the highest case load in the country, now slightly increased from 45.06 per cent to 45.72 per cent on Sunday. The fatality rate stood at 3.55 per cent, an official statement said.
COVID-19: J&K Govt issues new lockdown guidelines
>Religious places, educational institutions to remain closed;
>Hotels, restaurants with 50 per cent capacity to open,
>Barber shops, saloons, parlours to follow SOPs
> No inter-province, inter-UT movement allowed
Ejaz-ul-Haq Bhat
Srinagar, June 7: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday evening issued new guidelines to be followed during the lockdown period which will be effective from Monday till further orders. The guidelines are a sort of a line between life and death amid the COVID pandemic that has tightened its grip across J&K.
A government states that the instructions have been issued to regulate activities that are to be permitted during the extended period of lockdown (Unlock-1) in pursuance of the MHA order issued on May 30th.
The order stated that the instructions shall remain in force till further orders unless modified or withdrawn earlier. As per the order all schools, colleges, universities and other educational and training institutions including Aganwadi centres will continue to remain closed.
The order stated that all religious places and places of worship shall continue to remain closed for public till further orders and there will be restrictions on all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other large gatherings and congregations.
“There shall be no inter-province or inter-state/UT movement of individuals except after obtaining permissions or in permitted public transport after following prescribed health protocols,” the order reads.
The order also stated that there will restrictions on the movement of individuals for all non-essential activities between 8 pm to 5 am and district magistrates have been asked to issue specific prohibitory orders in this regard under section 144 of CrPC.
As per the order taxi and cab aggregators with driver and two passengers and maxi-cabs with 4 passengers are permitted to ply within the district or between green districts only.
“Inter-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only) can operate with up to 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and up to 50 per cent seating capacity for mini-buses by any operator on routes to be notified by transport department between contiguous green districts,” reads the order.
The order also stated that there shall be complete probation on inter- district movement of individuals between green/orange districts on one side and red districts on the other side, between two red districts and crossing a red district except after following prescribed procedure.
As per the order all the passengers, returnees or travellers coming to JK whether by road, rail or air, will have to compulsorily undergo a Covid-19 RTPCR test following which they will have to be under a 14-day administrative quarantine till the test result is negative—
Activities which have been permitted in the entire UT include normal functioning of private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes (including OPD services), all E-commerce and Courier services, all agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and related activities and canteens/eateries at Bus stands, railway stations and airports, with passes in Red districts
As per the order all restaurants, including in hotels, can operate for home delivery and take away only, without dine-ins, subject to the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India.
“Hotels and hospitality services, can operate at 50% capacity, subject to the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, full protection gear and equipment should be provided to Hotel staff, details of guests with entire travel history to be maintained, only room service of food should be done instead of in dine-in restaurants, frequent sanitization of common areas and spaces to be done and necessary health precautions for guests and staff.”
The order states that all shopping malls can open except in Red districts where they will operate with 50% of shops open on alternate days to be regulated by the Deputy Commissioners concerned.
“There will be particular focus on shops in malls can open from 9 am till 7 pm, special markings for social distancing, wherever needed, air conditioning of Malls to follow guidelines of CPWD (temperature range of 24-30 degree Celsius, relative humidity in the range of 40-70% with adequate cross ventilation and intake of fresh air, food courts and dining facilities in Malls will not be allowed for dine-in purpose.
However, home-delivery take-away service is permitted. The order further states “Children’s gaming zones, gaming arcades and cinemas inside malls shall remain closed.” As per the order banks and financial services, liquor shops and manufacturing units, barber shops, saloons and parlours shall open
Auto-rickshaws with a maximum of two passengers, only intra-district are also allowed to ply and intra-district movement of individuals in vehicles is allowed with a maximum of 2 passengers, besides the driver, in four wheeler vehicles and with no pillion rider in case of two wheelers with passes in Red districts.
Marriage related functions, with not more than 50 persons maintaining social distancing, with permission required for the function in Red Districts have also been allowed.
“Funeral / last rites related rituals with not more than 20 persons maintaining social distancing.”
The order also states that all shops, including in market areas/ bazaars/ market complexes falling within municipal corporation limits in orange district will remain open from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.
“There will be no parking on roads of bazaars/ market complexes/ market areas to prevent congestion and ensure social distancing, except where there is paid parking of the Municipal Corporation concerned and there are two free lanes for traffic flow.”
District Magistrates have been asked to regulate markets to ensure there is no congestion and social distancing is maintained—(KNO)
COVID-19 could see a declining trend by mid-September: Report
New Delhi, June 7: COVID-19 pandemic in the country could see a declining trend by mid of September this year, according to the findings of mathematical analysis by Union Health Ministry officials.
The study has pointed out that when the number of infected is equal to the number of removed patients, the coefficient will reach 100 per cent threshold and the epidemic will be extinguished.
This means that the transmission of the virus has more or less stopped, stated the study.
Researchers have used the methodology- Bailey’s Relative Removal Rate (BMRRR) or Bailey’s Model on the secondary data of the cumulative number of total COVID-19 cases in India from March 1 to May 19.
The analysis has been published in the latest issue of the online journal- Epidemiology International. The authors of the study are Dr Anil Kumar, Deputy Director General (Public Health) and Rupali Roy, Deputy Assistant Director (Leprosy) DGHS in the Health Ministry.
However, the authors have said that there is a need for evidence-based decision making at central, state and district level to achieve this. Mathematical modelling can be an important tool to achieve this.
The study noted that the actual epidemic in India started on March 2 and since then the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases started to rise in the country.
“As per the Regression Analysis (Linear) of Bailey’s Relative Removal Rate (BMRRR), COVID 19, India, it is observed that the trend might to 100 in the month of mid of September 2020. So, it may be interpreted that at that point of time, the number of infected will be equal to the number of removed patients, and that”s why the coefficient will reach 100 per cent threshold,” the study said.
According to researchers of the study, the benefit of using this mathematical model is that it takes into consideration of various factors including the spread of disease (field activities and other public health measures), clinical care/ recovery rate, the effectiveness of any treatment/vaccine which might be introduced later over a long period of time and not just short-term fluctuations.
The authors have pointed out the need for effective public health measures at the community level including those recommended for containment and buffer zones.
The study indicated that natural calamity, unpredictable population movement and important national or international events may have a significant influence on this model.
Schools will reopen after Aug: HRD Minister Pokhriyal
New Delhi, June 7: HRD Minister Ramesh Nishank Pokhriyal in a June 3 interview, according to India Today, has revealed that schools and colleges which have remained closed since around March 16 will reopen after August 2020. Around 33 crore students have been waiting for school reopening news to dispel their doubts.
As per reports in the end of May, it was thought that schools and colleges would reopen in July with 30% attendance and with younger students till class 8 remaining at home. It also stated that Green and Orange zones would reopen their educational institutes first and that to maintain social distancing norms and a smaller attendance, school would take place in two shifts.
But the Coronavirus scene in India wasn’t stable and in a week, the ministry came out with an official statement within a week that stated that no decision of this sort had been taken yet.
After weeks of confusion from students, teachers and parents, HRD Minister Ramesh Nishank Pokhriyal in an interview finally revealed that schools and colleges would be reopened after August 2020, possibly even after August 15, 2020. “We are trying to get declared all the results from the examinations this session by August 15,” said the HRD Minister.
“This means those exams which have already taken place before and those which are taking place now,” Pokhriyal added in the interview.
The anchor asks again if that meant that schools and colleges would re-open after August, to which the HRD minister replied with an enthusiastic “absolutely”.
While CBSE board exams would be held from July 1 to July 15, ICSE/ISC exams will begin from July 1 till July 12. NEET and JEE are also taking place in July while NEET will take place on July 26, JEE will take place from July 18 to July 23.
UGC, NCERT guidelines to be followed for safety when schools reopen
Safety guidelines are a must for education institutions to resume work again in the Covid-19 circumstances. Thus, while UGC was deciding on safety guidelines for reopening colleges and universities, NCERT was doing the same work for schools.
The guidelines, which would be different in all three cases, will help students and teachers ensure safety while schools reopen amidst a coronavirus pandemic. As per reports, teachers would need to wear masks and gloves, thermal scanners would be installed in schools, only two students would sit on three-seaters, CCTVs would observe if social distancing rules are being followed.
Moreover, the safety guidelines would be printed and put up in several locations in each school and the SDM and DM of each concerned area would further fine-tune the Covid-19 safety guidelines as required.
It remains to be seen what the updated guidelines would be if schools reopen after August.
COVID-19: Community spread a reality in Kashmir now, says Director SKIMS
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, June 7: As Jammu and Kashmir witnessed highest ever spike in COVID cases in the past 24 hours including pregnant women and doctors testing positive for the virus, Director Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) Soura, Dr AG Ahanger on Sunday said that community spread is a reality in Kashmir and people have to accept it.
In an interview with news agency KINS, Dr Ahanger said that Kashmir is facing a community spread of Covid-19 for sure. “This is a reality and we have to accept it and learn to live with it,” the top medico said, after J&K witnessed the highest ever spike in Covid positive cases since the pandemic outbreak in the UT.
Asked whether the community spread is going to affect more people in the days ahead, he said obviously more people will get exposed to the virus due to the community spread. “What we need to do is to take preventive measures already in public domain put by the government and health experts of Kashmir,” he said.
Dr Ahanger said that people shouldn’t panic and instead get ready to fight the pandemic. “We have to take precautions to minimize the effect of community spread. Guidelines already in public domain need to be followed in spirit,” he said and reiterated that “we have to learn to live with the virus and at the same time play our bit to minimize its spread.”
To a query whether relaxations in lockdown will result in more positive cases, Director SKIMS said that the number of cases will rise but at the same time “precautions need to be followed rigorously .”
“Those who have herd immunity will be able to fight the pandemic once they get affected. People with weak immunity can’t fight the virus and will suffer. So it’s time to boost your immunity by taking the diet used to make the immunity stronger,” Dr Ahanger said.
On the recovery rate of the patients in Kashmir, he said that it can accurately be analysed once the entire population is tested for the virus. Replying to a query that doctors too were getting infected with the virus, the Director SKIMS said that if somebody doesn’t take precautions and they would obviously fall prey to the virus. “Once preventive measures are taken properly and the gear is used, I don’t think there is any scope of getting infected,” Dr Ahanger said. He, however, said that doctors getting infected with the Covid-19 is a “professional hazard.”
Pertinently, Covid-19 has widened its ambit in J&K and has recorded 40 deaths besides over 3500 people have been affected with the virus so far. What has added more to the worry is a large number of pregnant women are fast falling prey to this deadly pandemic.
COVID-19: Barring Ganderbal, Bandipora all Kashmir districts declared Red Zones
Srinagar, June 7: Administration on Sunday declared all districts except Ganderbal and Bandipora as Red Zones in Kashmir in view of a surge in coronavirus cases.
In an order issued by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam says a detailed review of the current COVID situation in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted with the Financial Commissioner, Health; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir and other officers.
“The trend in new cases particularly the recent spread/ spike in new cases in view of the continuous movement of stranded/other persons travelling to J&K and between provinces/ districts. The risk perception of the Health department vis-a-vis each district and the need to control further spread of COV1D-19 was discussed,” the order reads.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the undersigned, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the State Executive Committee, hereby orders that the classification of districts into Red, Orange and Green categories for Jammu and Kashmir.
Red Zone: All districts of Kashmir province except Ganderbal and Bandipora and Ramban district of Jammu province.
ORANGE Zone: Kathua, Samba, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Reasi, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu.
GREEN Zone: Doda and Kishtwar except Containment one on the National Highway which will be a RED/Containment Zone with a 500 metre buffer,” it reads. (KINS)
