Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 21: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Tuesday said that it is continuously scaling up its testing facilities for Covid-19 by giving approval to government and private laboratories.

As of now, 201 government laboratories, three collection centres and 86 private laboratories’ chains have been given approval to conduct the tests for COVID-19.

The ICMR has said that the daily COVID-19 testing capacity at various laboratories in the country will be scaled up in the future and it is expected to reach one lakh tests per day by the end of the next month.

“So far, ICMR has validated 33 real-time PCR kits manufactured by 15 companies including My lab, Altona Diagnostics, SD biosensor, Helini Biomolecules and other. (KINS)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 21: Today the designated COVID-19 Hospital at SKIMS Medical College Bemina started the COVID-19 testing lab to perform tests through RT-PCR. Keeping in view the importance of testing, the Government of J&K desired to increase the number of testing facilities in the UT and SKIMS Medical College was asked to commission the testing facility on fast track basis and the efforts of Department of Microbiology SKIMS Soura, SKIMS MC Bemina and the Engineering wings of SKIMS Bemina (JVC), facilitated the commissioning of the lab in the shortest possible time.

Initially around 30 tests will be performed and within few days it will be doubled as more and more staff receiving training will be put on shifts to enhance the capacity for conduct of 100 tests a day.

The advanced equipment including RNA extractor availability will increase the daily testing manifold and same is under consideration. The facility thrown open by the Director SKIMS, Dr A.G Ahanger in presence of  the District Magistrate, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudary and Principal SKIMS Bemina (JVC) while Dr. Mubarak Naqash, Head COVID-19 Management team, HOD Microbiology, SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Bemina, Medical Suptt, Senior Faculty, Executive Engineers, Civil and Coordinator.

The Director SKIMS complimented the Principal SKIMS Bemina and his team for establishing this much needed facility in shortest possible time. He hoped that this facility will boost the testing capacity in the valley particularly in view of the strategic location of this Hospital on highway and working as the largest COVID-19 Hospital in the UT of J&K.

On the occasion the Principal SKIMS Bemina (JVC) said that besides, 112 COVID-19 positive patients admitted in this Hospital for treatment  the facility will benefit the district hospitals of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora & other adjoining areas as well.

Geneva, Apr 21: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that all available evidence suggests the novel coronavirus originated in animals in China late last year and was not manipulated or produced in a laboratory.

US President Donald Trump said last week that his government was trying to determine whether the virus emanated from a lab in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic emerged in December.

“All available evidence suggests the virus has an animal origin and is not manipulated or constructed in a lab or somewhere else,” WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a Geneva news briefing. “It is probable, likely, that the virus is of animal origin.”

It was not clear, Chaib added, how the virus had jumped the species barrier to humans but there had “certainly” been an intermediate animal host. “It most likely has its ecological reservoir in bats but how the virus came from bats to humans is still to be seen and discovered.”

She did not respond to a request to elaborate on whether it was possible the virus may have inadvertently escaped from a lab. The Wuhan Institute of Virology has dismissed rumours both that it synthesized the virus or allowed it to escape.

Chaib, asked about the impact of Trump’s decision last week to suspend funding to the UN agency over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, said: “We are still assessing the situation about the announcement by President Trump …and we will assess the situation and we will work with our partners to fill any gaps.”

“It is very important to continue what we are doing not only for COVID but for many, many, many, many other health programmes,” she added, referring to action against polio, HIV and malaria among other diseases.

She said that the WHO was 81 percent funded for the next two years as of the end of March, referring to its $4.8 billion biennial budget. The United States is the Geneva-based agency’s biggest donor. Other big contributors are the Gates Foundation and Britain. (Agencies)

‘Traders justify, Director FCS&CA says, ‘Will register an FIR against offenders’

KINS

Srinagar, Apr 21: Acute shortage of livestock due to the lockdown in Kashmir has led to a sharp rise in prices of mutton.

The meat eaters maintained that a kilogram of mutton which was sold at 500 to 550 has now been shot up to 600 to 700.As per the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), the rate of motton per Kg is 400.

People said that despite the thriving demand for meat in Kashmir, the price has burnt a hole in their pockets due to clampdown over coronavirus outbreak.

“Some mutton sellers who are able to sell mutton were found selling it at Rs 600/ to Rs. 700/ per kg. A kilogram of mutton which I usually purchase at 500 was sold me to 600,” said Arslan Ahmad.

Another resident of Bemina who had managed to buy meat from downtown area of Srinagar said that he purchased meat at 700 per kg.

However, justifying high prices of mutton, traders said that they are compelled to purchase locally reared animals, which are usually costlier than the stock coming from other states.

Since the lockdown is in place, Kashmir is facing severe shortage of mutton due to the lack of supply that used to come from Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi.

“We are finding it extremely difficult to source livestock. With much difficulty, we have been able to get few sheep locally just to keep the business alive,” revealed the trader.

He said that locally reared animals are usually costlier than the stock coming from other states.

Another dealer said that shopkeepers are somehow arranging sheep through their contacts. “Retail rates have increased for obvious reasons as they are buying livestock at a higher price. Moreover, only a few retailers get local supply, which too is not smooth because of lockdown,” the dealer said.

One of the mutton sellers here in Qamarwari known for quality mutton has never opened his shop for business since the lockdown. “In normal situation we slaughter about 5 to 10 sheep. But with the non-availability of mutton and keeping in mind the lockdown, we did not open our shop,” he said.

Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association General Secretary, Mehraj-ud- Din however said that it was wrong to sell meat on higher prices. “Yes we have also received complaints that some of the mutton retailers are selling meat on higher prices. It is illegal and wrong, I urge them not to indulge in such wrongdoings,” he said.

He however said that the department has fixed rate in 2016 and till date they have not reviewed the rate. He urged the government to fix the fresh rates for mutton.

“We were yet to recover the losses inflicted on us by long shutdown due to roll back of Article 370. Now the pandemic has come again as our biggest enemy,” he maintained.

Director Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Bashir Ahmad said that they will take strict action against the offenders. “If anybody is found selling meat on exorbitant rates, we will lodge FIR against him. Let people come to us with the complaints we will take action and even put the offenders in the jail,” he said.

New Delhi, Apr 21: The efficacy of Rapid Testing kits for coronavirus brought in from China have been questioned by three states, one of which, Rajasthan, has refused to use them. Following complaints from Rajasthan that only 5.4 per cent of the tests have proved effective, the Indian Council of Medical Research — the nodal body in the fight against coronavirus — has asked states to hold off the use of the Rapid Testing Kits for two days, in which thye hope to resolve the matter. While worldwide, medical experts agree that the Rapid testing method is not foolproof, questions were raised about the Chinese kits that reached India last week. Beijing has denied the kits are of inferior quality. The ICMR was against the widespread rapid tests, advocating its use only as a screening process in hotspots. Sources said it agreed only after pressure from states, which wanted to conduct more tests.

Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma told reporters today that the rapid test kits had only 5.4 per cent accuracy. Besides Rajasthan, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have also expressed their unhappiness with the results, sources said.

Rajasthan conducted around 170 tests in the COVID-19 hotspots, starting with Jaipur, since Friday. The kits were used for testing of patients who have already tested positive for coronavirus. But the rapid test kits found them negative, which raised questions about the credibility of these kits, the minister said.

The Indian Council Of Medical Research, the country’s nodal body in the fight against coronavirus, has asked all states not to use the new rapid antibody test for COVID-19 for two days. The ICMR said it would investigate the issue of faulty rapid testing kits and would “definitely not ignore this defect”.

Beijing last week denied that the kits were not up to mark, saying they attach “great importance to the export of medical products”. The stricter regulatory measures introduced involve registration certificate for medical device from the State Food and Drug Administration and meeting quality standards of the importing countries.

Earlier this month, the government had procured around 7 lakh Rapid Testing kits from China and distributed across the country after the ICMR advised testing for all people in the COVID-19 hotspots. The testing started four days ago.

Many states still do not have adequate testing facilities for the current BT-PCR tests, which rely on swabs from the patients. The tests have to be processed in a laboratory and takes up to six hours. In a rapid test kit, the results are available within 30 minutes at the most.

Sources said the ICMR had agreed to the use of Rapid Testing Kits after repeated requests from states. Besides being time consuming, the RT-PCR tests are also not cost effective and therefore were not suitable for random tests.

In a letter to states on April 17, the ICMR had made it clear that antibody tests can only be a supplementary tool. Antibody tests cannot replace the RT-PCR test for COVID-19 diagnosis, the top medical body had said.  “We have been advising states that antibody tests are not recommended for COVID-19 diagnosis. Data on antibody tests still emerging and its utility is still evolving, sources in the ICMR said.

The Rapid Test kits, which cost around Rs 600 each, are basically blood tests that look for antibodies to the coronavirus, which is the final evidence that a person is infected and works even for people who are asymptomatic.

But the test is not likely to work in the window period between infection and the body’s development of antibodies. This is why scientists in many countries have questioned the rapid test process, saying it is not yet foolproof and a race is on across the world to devise a test that would be 100 per cent reliable.

Inaugurates divisional level training programme

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 17: To cater non-COVID-19 patients, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today directed owners of private hospitals, diagnostic centers and other health institutions to start normal functioning within a week and warned that any institution found violating the directions regarding the essential services rules, will be strictly dealt with under relevant laws.
He directed the owners of the private health institutes to resume normal functions with 50% staff on weekly roaster at their institutions. To restrict the movement and ensure health safety, staff should be stationed round the clock at health premises. After completion of one week, remaining 50% staff can join duty, as per the same guidelines.

All doctors, paramedics and other staff will wear mask, hand gloves and eye protection besides maintain Social Distancing norms besides follow health advisories of COVID-19.

Before arriving at private Health Institutions, patients should first book appointment on phone so that to minimize the chances of over-crowding.

“Earmark reception room at main gate where Doctors will screen all patients regarding Corona-virus symptoms properly and if any person is found having COVID-19 symptoms, he/she should be immediately referred to COVID-19 hospital. Besides, masks must be distributed to all non-Covid patients before entering the institution”, Div Com directed the owners.

All owners of Health Institutions shall apply for movement passes for their staff to concerned Deputy Commissioners. Concerned CMOs will closely monitor functioning of private health institutions personally and submit report to the Directorate of Health services, in this regard on regular basis.

Director Health Services Dr Sameer Matto, Deputy Director & Chief Medical Officer, DHSK, Assistant Commissioner (central) Aziz Ahmad Rather, Owners of Health Institutions & Diagnostic Centers, representatives of various health associations and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.

Inaugurates divisional level training programme

Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today inaugurated Divisional Level Training Programme to combat COVID-19 and mitigation operations across valley at Disaster Relief Force, (DRF) Headquarters Srinagar.

More than 2500 COVID-19 warriors belonging to SDRF, Youth services & Sports, Civil Defence, Home Guards, Red Cross volunteers and NGO persons will be trained under the programme, at Block levels in more than 250 batches, by a trained team of Community Process (ASHA) trainers in different districts for COVID-19 preparedness, management and mitigation.

Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said that the aim of this training is to inculcate basic principles of COVID-19 preparedness, management and mitigation among the trainees besides to augment the teams which are working in each district to ensure supply of essential commodities to concerned households, screening & management at Red Zones, basics about signs and symptoms of COVID-19, types of diagnostic tests, community Surveillance, screening, tackling stigma, home quarantine protocol, personal safety, enforcing lockdown and other operations.

Div Com further said that the important responsibility placed on the shoulders of trainees, as it is a collective effort which will pull through the society from current situation.

Later, Officer Special Duty (OSD) Health & Medical Education Dr Owais Ahmad said that the ongoing training programme will further enhance capabilities of trainees to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic across Kashmir Division.

Director Health services Kashmir Dr Sameer Matto, Commandant SDRF Bashir Ahmad, Deputy Director Health Services Dr Bashir Ahmad Chalkoo, Programme Manager NHM, & Lab Coordinator J&K Dr Jitender Mehta, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar Dr Jahangir Bakshi and other concerned officials were present in the inaugural function.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Apr 21: To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today said that Fever Clinics (Covid-OPD) have started functioning in all COVID-19 hospitals for suitable treatment of the patients. These clinics are functioning in prefab huts, health kiosks and are detached from main hospital buildings.

People having flu like symptoms can visit these clinics for further treatment. People suffering from fever, cold and cough have been advised to consult the doctors at these fever clinics. The doctors will send suspected COVID-19 cases for testing.

The clinics have been set up to help Covid Rapid Response (CRR) teams to track and screen the suspected cases. People with international travel history can also get themselves tested at these clinics. The initiative is helping people who have fear of being infected while reducing the crowd at other hospitals.

The Divisional Commissioner made the statement today while interacting with representatives of various Private Health Associations.

He further said that BMO, Police and Administrative officers have been deployed for contact tracing and after contact tracing, mobile teams with trained staff and requisite equipment, take samples from low risk patients from home.

Administration has launched Rapid Testing (Antibody testing) in Red zones and the preference will being given to pregnant ladies, diabetic, cardiac, dialysis and other co-morbid patients.

Pole reiterated that robust mechanism is in place to fight the COVID-19 and administration is fully prepared to meet any exigency, in this regard, across the Valley.

Takes stock of COVID-19 quarantine facilities

Precious Kashmir News
Baramulla, Apr 21: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited here to take stock of the measures taken by the District Administration to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and review quarantine facilities established at Indoor Stadium, Baramulla.

The Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr G.N Itoo who informed the Advisor  that adequate facilities have been put in place to fight this pandemic at district level and a newly established 100 bedded Quarantine/Wellness centre at Indoor Stadium Baramulla is one such illustration.

The Advisor was also informed that there are 19 Administrative Quarantine Centres in the District in which 302 persons are undergoing quarantine as of now.

The Advisor directed the concerned officers to take all the necessary measures required to provide best Quarantine facilities in the District and also send passengers with symptoms of coronavirus infection to institutional quarantine immediately.

Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr Itoo informed the Advisor that besides other facilities, there are 14 more Institutional Quarantine Facilities in the district and two Isolation Centres have also been established in which people with travel history or any symptoms have been housed.

Srinagar, Apr 21: A female photojournalist who was booked for her objectionable Facebook posts under Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (ULPA) was today questioned at Cyber police wing and later allowed to go home.

“Since there is an FIR, questioning is part of the legal proceedings. She was questioned by the Investigating Officer (IO) concerned. She hasn’t been detained,” Superintendent of Police Cyber Police Wing Kashmir Tahir Ashraf told KNO.

Earlier, the female journalist in her tweet had stated: “So wish me good luck because it’s time to defend my rights as a journalist. Going inside Cyber police station.”

  New Delhi, Apr 21:  The Central Government has launched a video conferencing app development challenge for Indian companies with prize money of Rs. 1 crore. The innovation challenge has been introduced at a time when security issues have been highlighted in the popular Zoom video-conferencing app.
“Innovation Challenge for Development of Video Conferencing Solution” has been introduced by the government to facilitate Work from Home (WFH) that has become a new normal for crores of people in the country. WFH means that a huge amount of information is being shared online, giving rise to concerns over the privacy of the conversations and control over the app and data shared through the app.
The app development program started registration on April 13 and the last date for registering is April 30. The video conferencing app should be able to work on any kind of device, in poor network areas, should have encrypted communication, and should use less power.
The results of the government challenge will be announced on 29 July. The winning team will be given Rs. 1 crore to deploy the app for use by central and state Governments across India and a certificate by Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
Last week, the government issued an advisory cautioning against using Zoom app. The Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord) of Home Ministry said that the app should not be used by government official owing to security concerns. Earlier, CERT-In, India’s nodal agency that deals with cyber-security threats, had also warned that the Zoom video conferencing app may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Several organisations like Google and Standard Chartered have asked their employees to not use Zoom. US Senate also asked the senators to refrain from using the app.

In India, many have been using Zoom app as a part of their new WFH routine during the ongoing lockdown that came into force after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Several High Courts in India have conducted hearings on Zoom. Even the country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was seen using the app. (Agencies)