Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 16: Over 70 families being put under quarantine in New Delhi after a 19-year-old food delivery agent tested positive for COVID-19 should serve as an eye opener for the people of Kashmir.
Media reports stated that the victim had delivered Pizzas to all these families before testing positive for the COVID-19.
Reports about people gathering outside the Banks and ATMs in few areas of Kashmir have shocked everyone. “People should understand the gravity of the situation. Even if one person is COVID-19 positive, he can form a chain which can lead to 400 persons turning positive. Withdrawing cash should be no priority at this point of time,” said a doctor.
He said that if people don’t understand this simple thing the COVID-19 can wreak havoc in Kashmir, where all the efforts are being made to keep this deadly virus at bay. “Its unfortunate that people are not understanding the gravity of the situation. They need to understand saving lives at this point of time is the most important task. Next two weeks are very crucial for Kashmir. We have already recorded deaths of two COVID-19 patients, who had no travel history. There is every possibility about this virus having got transmitted into the community. Next fifteen days will tell us where we stand,” the doctor said.
He said, “Assembling outside the shops during evening hours and discussing COVID-19 won’t help anyone’s cause. The ongoing lockdown is no hartal, it has been ordered to control the pandemic, which can spread like a wildfire.”
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Till date situation has not taken an ugly turn but it can go out of hands if we don’t mend our ways. Imagine 70 families being put under quarantine. It means if one family has four members, nearly 280 persons have turned COVID-19 suspects.”
He said, “In New Delhi healthcare facilities are much better than J&K. It’s national capital and it can take the load but J&K won’t be able to bear it. There are just two hundred odd ventilators in J&K hospitals.”
An observer said that most areas in Srinagar city have been turned into “Red Zones.” “It means chances of this virus spread within the community in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir are high. We need to learn lessons from United Kingdom, United States, Italy and Spain where people took the warnings lightly.”
He said, “Authorities and experts are repeatedly telling people to stay within their homes and maintain social distance. But it seems a few people don’t want to listen. It’s a deadly virus and if a person gets infected, he has to stay in isolation away from his family members, who too are put under quarantine.”
COVID-19: Withdrawing cash, assembling outside banks, ATMs can prove disastrous
COVID-19: Kashmir cases reach 260 as 14 more test positive; J&K tally at 314
>2 more patients recover at SKIMS, sent home
>58076 under surveillance, 5366 test negative
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 16: Fourteen more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Kashmir on Thursday, with this the total number of people infected with the virus reached 314 in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal tweeted: “14 new cases- all from Kashmir Division. Total cases now 314. Jammu Division-54 and Kashmir Division-260.”
Officials said that nearly three dozen COIVD-19 patients have been treated and discharged from hospitals in J&K till date.
According to the daily media bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 314 positive cases, 272 are Active Positive, 38 have recovered and 4 have died.
Furthermore, till date 58076 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 7463 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 265 in Hospital Quarantine, 272 in hospital isolation and 29366 under home surveillance. Besides, 20706 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Moreover two more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged today from SKIMS, Soura.
The bulletin further said that 5366 samples have tested as negative till April 16, 2020.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 78 positive cases wherein 65 are Active Positive, 12 recovered and 01 has died, Bandipora 66 positive cases with 54 Active Positive, 11 recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 42 positive cases with 41 Active Positive, and 01 died; Kupwara has 25 positive cases and all are active cases; Shopian has 14 positive cases out of which 12 are active positive,02 recovered; Ganderbal has 14 positive cases which are all active cases, Budgam 12 positive cases of which 09 are Active Positive with 03 recovered cases; Kulgam has 05 cases which are all active positive; Pulwama 03 positive cases where 02 Active Positive,01 recovered and Anantnag district has 01 Positive cases which is active positive.
Similarly, Jammu has 26 positive cases of whom 23 are Active Positive and 03 have recovered, Udhampur 20 positive cases of which 15 are Active Positive, 04 recovered and 01 died, while as Rajouri has 03 positive cases with 02 active positive,01 recovered; Samba district has 04 positive cases which are all active positive. Meanwhile, Kishtwar has only 01 positive case which has recovered.
The bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The advisory further said people are requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily. “Follow the rules of lockdown with utmost sincerity until 3rd May 2020.”
Stressing on the need to stay active at home during COVID-19 outbreak, the advisory said it’s important to stay active every day as much as you can. World Health Organization recommends that all healthy adults do 30 minutes / day of physical activity, and children should be physically active for 1 hour / day.
Similarly, avoid close contact with anyone that has fever and cough. “In case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly. People should call on Covid-19 helpline No.s so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed,” reads the advisory.
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll free No. 102.
People can also call on toll free national helpline number 1075. J&K Covid-19 Helpline No.s 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).
People are advised to take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes and wearing mask or face cover while moving out of their homes.
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.
Srinagar worst hit with 27% cases
Srinagar is the worst-affected district in the Union Territory of J&K as it has recorded about 27 per cent of the total active positive cases, besides one death so far. Following the surge in the COVID-19 cases, all roads leading to areas, which were declared as ‘Red Zones’ after several COVID-19 positive cases surfaced from there, have been sealed with solid blocks and iron rods till further orders.
The number of Coronavirus cases swelled to 300 in the Union Territory after 22 persons, including 18 from Kashmir and four from Jammu, tested positive for the infection on Wednesday.
As many as 33 people, including 31 from Kashmir and two from Jammu, tested positive for Coronavirus on Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, 138 people, mostly from Kashmir, were tested positive for COVID-19 in J&K last week.
Thirty-three new positive cases, including 28 from Kashmir and three from Jammu, were reported on April 4 and April 5, making it one of the highest jumps in the COVID-19 infected persons in J&K.
Eight persons, including five from Jammu and three from Kashmir, were tested positive for COVAID-19 on Thursday while the number jumped by five on Friday. Six persons were tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday while seven other cases were reported on Wednesday.
As many as 11 persons, including eight in Kashmir and three in Jammu, tested positive for COVID-19 in J&K on Monday. The positive case reportedly includes a doctor in Jammu.
A 62-year-old man died at a government hospital less than 12 hours after being tested positive for Coronavirus in Kashmir valley on March 29, when five persons were tested positive for the infection. So far, two persons have died due to the infection while as many have been successfully treated.
As many as 12 positive Coronavirus cases was recorded in J&K in a single day on March 28, triggering panic among locals despite assurance by administration that they are fully prepared to curtail the infection.
On March 27, two patients are from Chattabal while two others from Bemina in Srinagar were tested positive for Coronavirus. Two minor siblings also from Srinagar were tested positive for Coronavirus on March 26, when a 65-year-old Hyderpora resident became the first person to die due to deadly infection in J&K.
On March 25, four persons, who had met the 65-year-old patient during an event in the valley, were tested positive for Coronavirus.
J&K to initiate Rapid Anti-Body testing: Div Com
Precious Kashmir news
Srinagar, Apr 16: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today informed that J&K UT will be among the few states across the country to initiate Rapid Anti-Body testing in Red Zones, soon.
He further informed that Health institutions of Kashmir Division will start 1000 COVID-19 testing per day, shortly.
The Divisional Commissioner made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review containment policy measures in Red Zones.
The meeting was informed that till date, 80 Red Zones were identified in Kashmir Division and that such areas will remain red zones up to 42 days, unless no new positive case of COVID-19 is detected. If any new case is detected in these areas, then from that date, the area will again remains a red zone for another 42 days.
The Divisional Commissioner directed officers to adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Red Zones in letter and Spirit.
He directed concerned to do proper sanitation and fumigation in these areas on regular basis. The charger officers have been already nominated for Red Zones. For surveillance, he directed to involve health officials, Asha & Anganwadi workers, PRIs, VLWs, ICDS and volunteers.
He directed that the Charge Officer will make teams which will conduct door to door surveys in red zone areas as per prescribed format and also maintain Social Distancing norms and the data thus compiled will be submitted to the charge officers.
During survey masks will also be distributed to the local population.
After submitting the data, Rapid Anti-Body testing should be conducted on spot in Red Zone areas as per information. The test will give results instantly whether the person is exposed to the Corona virus or not besides antibodies developed in their body. Officials of Health Department, Volunteers of Red Cross, civil Defence and employees of concerned departments will conduct Rapid Anti-Body testing in red zone areas.
Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) will create mass awareness regarding SOPs of Red Zone areas besides inform people to download Arogya-setu applications in their mobiles for Information, Education and Communication purposes. Loud Speaker mounted vehicles will also provide information to the habitants of red zones.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed the officers to implement the directions religiously and to work in close coordination against COVID-19 Pandemic.
VC, LAWDA, Vikas Kundal, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Directors of Rural Development & Urban Local Bodies, Joint Director Information, Harris Ahmad Handoo, Deputy Director Health Services, Assistant Commissioner (central) Aziz Ahmad Rather and other concerned officials were present in the meeting.
Defying prohibitory orders: 2303 arrested, 1012 FIRs lodged in J&K
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Apr 16:The Jammu and Kashmir Police have lodged 1012 FIRs, sealed 1295 shops and arrested 2303 persons for defying prohibitory orders across Jammu and Kashmir, a police spokesman said in a statement.
“In Kashmir zone 568 FIRs have been lodged against the persons for violating government orders and 64 shops and 447 vehicles were seized for defying the orders. To restrict the unnecessary movement JK Police arrested 1691 persons out of which 1683 persons were bailed out after detailed counseling were given regarding the COVID-19,” the spokesman added.
“Similarly, in Jammu zone 444 FIRs were lodged for violating government orders and 193 shops, 591 vehicles have been seized for defying government orders. 612 persons were arrested for not adhering government orders out of which 608 persons were later bailed out after counseling them regarding the threat of COVID-19,” he said.
“Thousands of J&K Police personnel are on ground ensuring strict restrictions on the unnecessary movement of people and the vehicular traffic across the UT besides helplines in every district have been established 24×7 for help and assistance of general people,” the spokesman added.
Kashmir Cyber Police register 8 cases for posting fake reports, videos
You are being watched, says SP Tahir Ashraf
Srinagar, Apr 16: Cyber Police have arrested over 7 persons for uploading fake news reports on social media networking sites while a couple of offenders are still at large.
Superintendent of Police Cyber cell Tahir Ashraf told KNT that they have registered eight FIRs against those who have posted fake news reports and videos. He said these cases have been registered against offenders hailing from Handwara, Dooru, Srinagar, Beerwah, Sopore, Kupwara and other parts.
“Some people are using social media networking sites including facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter. Cyber Police Kashmir is monitoring all the profiles and the content being uploaded by the users. We are exploring the possibilities of invoking all the appropriate provisions of law available against such users,” he said.
SP Tahir Ashraf said they take prompt action whenever they find anyone misusing the social media. “One of the examples is morphed picture of Lal Chowk, Ghanta Ghar Srinagar was shown with the flag of Pakistan administered Kashmir uploaded on facebook,” he said adding that swift action was initiated against the user.
Divulging information about the misuse of social media, SP Tahir Ashraf said that a user in Handwara had posted on WhatsApp that security forces killed two youth in fake encounter. “An old video in Srinagar was uploaded showing that 3 civilians were killed and 30 injured. In Beerwah, fake news was uploaded with regard to diagnosis of Covid-19 patient. In Kupwara, fake and manipulated contents of information displaying propaganda against administration and security forces were uploaded on Twitter. Similarly, some miscreants uploaded fabricated document related to record of proceedings of Supreme Court of India disclosing restoration of internet service,” he said adding that they are tracking both known and unknown users posting fake news reports and videos. (KNT)
‘Barbers can be silent carriers of COVID-19’
Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Apr 16: The medical experts in Jammu and Kashmir have advised people not to rush to barber shops and beauty parlours as they can be silent carriers of COVID-19 pandemic.
Talking to KNO, renowned flu expert in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Nisar Ul Hassan said that it was totally unsafe to visit or come in close contact with a barber as it increases the risk of getting infected.
“If people move out it defeats the purpose what we are trying to achieve by way of lockdown, if anyone moves out the very purpose to stop the spread and breaking the chain will be no more effective”, he said.
Dr Nasir said that at this time we are supposed to maintain social distancing and getting in close contact with someone defeats the purpose of staying at home. “If the barber moves from place to place it may increase the risk of contract this contagious disease. It will engulf a large population silently,” he said.
He cited the example of a pizza delivery boy who was tested positive in Delhi yesterday, following which around 70 families had to be quarantined. “Similarly, if the barber moves from one place to another he can also act as a silent carrier and engulf a huge population.”
“We don’t to make our hair and look beautiful in these testing times. This can be done later when we are out of this pandemic. People need to follow the guidelines for their own good and for the good of society at large,” he said.
He also said that people should adhere to this lockdown and this is the least people can do these days since staying home and maintaining social distance is the only way to fight this contagious disease.
COVID-19: J&K Govt requisitions 80000 rapid testing kits
Kashmir News Service
Srinagar, Ap 16: J&K administration has requisitioned for 80000 rapid testing kits from Central Government to speed up COVID-19 screening in J&K at a mass level.
A local news agency KNS while quoting a top official said the consignment was scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, but has been delayed reasons known to GOI.
The J&K Government had a week ago demanded these kits form the Central Government to increase the testing in the UT.
“Only PPE masks and Sanitizers were received today,” the official said.
The serological antibody blood test, which deliver results in 15 minutes, work on blood samples instead of nasal swabs and will tell whether a patient has ever been exposed to the novel virus, a doctor told about the working mechanism of rapid testing kits.
“This would be the first time India will use serology for the detection of disease. Similar tests have been widely conducted to check for influenza, human immunodeficiency virus and Zika,” he added.
The Indian Council of Medical Research had recommended the use of antibody rapid testing for COVID-19 in high containment zones on April 2. Notably, sometime back Indian Council for Medical Research in a circular had said that scores of companies, domestic and international, have queued up to provide rapid testing kits to India.
The ICMR had last month issued tenders for the procurement of 5 lakh antibody test kits.
ICMR has recommended starting rapid antibody-based blood test for COVID-19 in clusters (with containment zones), and in large migration gatherings or evacuees centres. It has recommended a RT-PCR test within seven days of illness for such patients and after seven days of illness, antibody tests should be conducted followed by RT-PCR. “The antibody test tells us about the nature and level of immune response that an infected person has developed,” said K Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) was quoted in media.
A Srinagar based doctor said Individuals who tested negative must be confirmed by real-time PCR test, if warranted or home quarantined, and repeat the antibody test after 10 days and added that rapid test kits could speed up the screening process in case of Community spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19: 8 J&K districts figure in Centre’s hotspot list
Owais Gull
Srinagar, Apr 16: Eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been identified as COVID-19 hotspots by the Union Health Ministry.
Eight districts of J&K figure in the list of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s COVID-19 hotspots. Of them, six have been classified as hotspots with large outbreak of COVID-19 and two as hotspots with clusters.
According to details, Srinagar, Jammu, Bandipora, Baramulla, Udhampur and Kupwara districts have been identified as hotspots with large outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The remaining two districts -Shopian, Rajouri- have been identified as hotspots with clusters.
It is worthwhile to mention here that 90 Red Zones have been identified in Jammu and Kashmir so far, in order to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. 14 hotspots for COVID-19 have been found in Jammu while 76 are from Kashmir region. (KNO)
PM tweets video of Jammu siblings
Jammu, Apr 16 It was a jubilation for a Jammu family after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday tweeted the video of a song composed and sung by twin sisters to spread awareness among the people on the fight against coronavirus.
Siblings Saibaa Gupta and Saisha Gupta have penned, composed and sung a beautiful song to spread awareness among the people on how to fight against coronavirus.
The sisters were in an upbeat mood when Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted their video on his Twitter handle, which they had uploaded on YouTube.
The prime minister wrote, “Proud of youngsters like Saibaa and Saisha Gupta. They are raising awareness on defeating the coronavirus.”
The sisters who had just appeared in the class tenth examination told UNI that “When we used to go for our exams, we saw people panicking and living in fear,”, adding, that “many people still not wear masks, do not follow the advisories, therefore we decided to pen down this song.”
The girls also composed the music and sung the song and later made a video which contained clips showing mass awareness on the pandemic.
The video was seen by hundreds of people and was greatly appreciated.
Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh also called the family and appreciated their effort as a different way of spreading awareness on COVID-19 on social media. Since most of the people are currently staying at home and have access to social media, there is a good chance that more and more people will be able to view the video.
The girls mother Dr Sweety Gupta, said, “being a doctor, I tried to guide them and it clicked but the biggest moment today is that their video has been tweeted by the Prime Minister.”
Their father, Dr Rohit Gupta, also said that they had never thought that the video will be liked and tweeted by the Prime Minister.
He however, appealed to the people to follow the guidelines and spoke about the requests made by his daughters in the song, asserting the “we have to collectively fight against coronavirus.”
Div Com reviews preparedness to tackle floods
‘Kashmir received 25% more snow this year situation may become dangerous’
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 16: During recent winter, Kashmir received 25 percent more snowfall than last year which will increase water level in rivers and tributaries during summer season and situation may become dangerous.
In this context, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today chaired a meeting to review flood management measures and preparedness across Kashmir division.
Through a power-point presentation, the meeting was informed that a comprehensive plan for flood management works on Jhelum, phase-I, costing Rs.399.29 Crore is presently under execution. While to mitigate a flood threat of 60,000 Cusecs at Sangam, the DPR costing Rs. 1623.43 crore has also been approved under PMDP.
After implementation of comprehensive flood management plan, water carrying capacity of river Jhelum from Sangam to Padshaibagh will increase to 60,000 cusecs from present 31800 cusecs. Water carrying capacity of Flood Spill Channel at off-take Padshahibagh will also increase to 17000 cusecs from existing 4000 cusecs. Similarly, at Ningli in Wular it will increase to 30931 cusecs from current 20,000 and at Sopore, Jhelum river’s capacity will increase to 61110 cusecs from existing 31,000.
It was further informed that Irrigation and Flood Control department (I&FC) had installed nine Automatic Water Level Recorders (WLRs) on River Jhelum at Sangam, Pampore, Ram Munshi Bagh & Asham and at its major tributaries including Sind, Lidder, Doodganga, Vaishaw & Rambiar and Automatic Rain Gauges at different locations. Besides, 12.6 lacs sand and 80,000 Geo bags have been kept at different locations of river Jhelum and other water bodies. Mobile Apps has also been developed for real time information to the public.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned for instant mapping of all automatic Rain Guages, water level in rivers and tributaries besides, collecting rainfall data from May 1, on each day and the data thus collected sent to Central Water Commission (CWC) for flood forecasting well in advance.
It was informed that ERA under Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) are preparing feasibility and detailed project report for flood mitigation and comprehensive river management measures for Jhelum basin through consultancy services under World Bank Project. This will help for scientific flood management plan, early warning systems and other measures.
The Divisional Commissioner asked concerned officer to expedite the whole process and complete it in a time bound manner.
He directed all Deputy Commissioners to hold meetings with Zonal Flood Committees immediately and notify necessary orders at an earliest. DCs have been asked to ensure regular revision of Disaster Management plans, up-date the same on regular basis and send the copies to the Div Com for further action. They were also asked to designate nodal officer who will update the inventory of disaster resources and equipment on IRDA website regularly.
The I&FC authorities department have been directed to update and list all its available tools and plants and upload it on IDRM network besides prepare a list of boats available with government agencies and private Shikara owners along with their locations.
I&FC will start the de-sliting process in canals and finish it before the commencement of agriculture season. Department has been directed to expedite the restoration works on Malshai Bagh water canal on priority basis. The concerned were asked to deploy additional laborers on the job, to ensure its timely completion.
To set up Emergency Operation Centre, Div Com directed DC Budgam and concerned officers to inspect the land bank at Ichigaam and submit the report to him.
Chief Engineer R&B was asked to ensure that the waste material of bridges is cleared from rivers and tributaries, within a fortnight.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineers of Irrigation & Flood Control, PHE, R&B, Director Fire & Emergency, DIG (North), VC LAWDA, Assistant Commissioner (central) Aziz Ahmad Rather, Assistant Director MET and other concerned officials were present in the meeting where as CEO, ERA, Dr Syed Abid, Rashid Shah and nine Deputy Commissioners participated the meeting through video conferencing.
