• 8 more test positive; 6 in Kashmir, 2 in Jammu, tally at 278 in J&K
• 14 patients recover, discharged from hospital
  Precious Kashmir News
  Srinagar, Apr 14: Eight more persons, including six from Kashmir and two from Jammu, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total number of infected people to 278 in the Union Territory of J&K.

J&K administration spokesman Rohit Kansal tweeted:  “For now our luck seems to be holding!!! 8 new cases, 14 recoveries. New cases- 06 from Kashmir and 02 from Jammu Division.”
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 278 positive cases, 244 are Active Positive, 30 have recovered and 04 have died. Out of the total recovered patients, 14 patients from Kashmir division were discharged today from CD Hospital Srinagar and SKIMS Soura.

Furthermore, till date 55498 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 7760 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 365 in Hospital Quarantine, 244 in hospital isolation and 30952 under home surveillance. Besides, 16173 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin further said that out of 4619 test reports available, 4341 samples have tested as negative till April 14, 2020.

Providing district wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 73 positive cases wherein 62 are Active Positive, 10 recovered and 01 has died, Bandipora 53 positive cases with 44 Active Positive, 08 recovered and  01 died, Baramulla 40 positive cases with 39 Active Positive, no case has recovered yet and 01 has died, Budgam 11 positive cases with 09 Active Positive and 02 recovered, Pulwama 03 positive cases with 02 Active Positive and 01 recovered, Shopian 14 positive cases-all Active Positive, Kupwara with 23 positive cases-all Active Positive, Ganderbal with 05 positive cases-all Active Positive, Kulgam with 05 positive cases-all Active Positive and Anantnag with 01 positive case, who is Active Positive.

Similarly, Jammu has 23 positive cases of whom 20 are Active Positive and 03 have recovered, Udhampur 19 positive cases of which 14 are Active Positive, 4 recovered and 01 died, while as Rajouri 03 positive cases of which 02 are Active Positive and 01 recovered, Samba has 04 positive cases  and all are Active Positive and a single positive case has recovered fully in Kishtwar district.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

Highlighting Prime Minister address to the Nation in which he has sought support of people in seven things, the bulletin requested people to follow the  same for containment of COVID-19.

Prime Minister in his address urged, “Take special care of the elderly in your homes, especially those who have chronic disease. We have to take extra care of them, and keep them safe from Novel Coronavirus. Completely adhere to the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ of Lockdown and Social Distancing. Please also use homemade face-covers or masks without fail. Follow the instructions issued by AYUSH ministry to enhance your immunity. Regularly consume warm water, ‘kadha’. Download the Arogya Setu Mobile App to help prevent the spread of corona infection. Inspire others to download the app as well. Take as much care of poor families as you can. Especially try to fulfill their food requirements. Be compassionate towards the people who work with you in your business or industry. Do not deprive them of their livelihood. Pay utmost respect to our nation’s Corona Warriors – our doctors and nurses, sanitation workers and police force.”

Meanwhile, according to the Advisory issued in the media bulletin, the general public has been urged 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. The Advisory asked people to follow the rules of lockdown with utmost sincerity until 3rd May 2020.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on COVID-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

The Bulletin informed the general public that in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free No. 102.

Furthermore people can contact 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075, J&K COVID-19 helpline numbers; 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

People have been asked to take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes. Furthermore according to the advisory people have been asked to wear mask or face cover while moving out of home.

People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 14: The COVID-19 containment zones in Srinagar have been sealed as per a comprehensive plan to ensure strict adherence to the SOP the government has notified for the purpose.

While all entry-exit points of all areas declared as containment zones have been sealed at least half of these points in each one of these areas have been sealed with removable barriers. The latter adds up to a total of 45 points enabling access into and out of them as and when required.

In fact those entry-exit points which have been sealed with unremovable barricading also have left-out parts to enable movement of essential services and passage during times of medical or other critical emergencies.

It is notable that there are a total of 15 areas as of now which have been declared as containment or red zones in Srinagar.

These include Eidgah (with 1 entry-exit point sealed with removable barriers), Goripora (2), Nowshehra (2), Hawal (3), Ahmed Nagar (1), Lal Bazar (1), Hyderpora (1), Natipora (6), Jawahar Nagar (2), Chattabal (4), Bemina (4), Tengpora (2), Khayam (7), Nishat (4) and Lasjan (5).

Seven of these fifteen areas declared as containment zones in fact just have removable barriers as a form of sealing.

It should be noted that local mohalla committees of all these areas have been reached out to and are onboard administration’s efforts to contain spread of COVID-19 in their areas and out of them.

Meanwhile the administration has put in place an elaborate and comprehensive mechanism in all these areas to ensure all requirements and needs of residents are covered for as long as these areas remain under restrictions.

From provision of essential services to handling of emergencies to execution of surveillance activities — all kinds of requisites have been taken care of as part of this elaborate mechanism put in place in these areas.

Hundreds of officials have been deputed in these areas and concerned officers and departments made responsible for relevant facilities and requirements. To ensure coordination joint control rooms with dedicated nodal officers have been established in each of these red zones. COVID-19 containment zones in Srinagar sealed as per a comprehensive plan

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Apr 14: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today held a video conference to interact with Doctors and sought their valuable suggestions for better management and containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Deliberations were also held on various important aspects, including procurement of protective gears; increasing the testing capacity; awareness on COVID-19 by Medical experts etc, which are imperative for combating spread of the virus.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education; Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; HoDs ; Doctors and Medical experts participated in the deliberations.

The Lt Governor called for sustained efforts across the board and escalating the preventive efforts to fight against Coronavirus effectively. He asked the Doctors and paramedics to ensure their safety while treating the patients and assured them that Administration would provide PPEs, N-95 Masks, gloves and other basic protective gears to the front-line warriors in the fight against the deadly virus. Measures are being taken to ensure availability of protective gears and critical equipment and more PPEs are being procured by the Government, but its use must be rationalized, he said.

During the interaction, various suggestions were received on the measures to be taken while treating the patients ailing from diseases other than COVID.

The Lt Governor observed that the non-COVID patients also require the necessary attention and would not be neglected at any level. Necessary precautionary protocol would be followed during their treatment, as is being done for the treatment of COVID-patients. Isolated and segregated facilities should also be prepared for them as they and their attendants are also vulnerable to the virus, the Lt Governor advised the Doctors.

Suggestion was also solicited on spreading awareness on COVID-19 by doctors and medical experts. The Lt Governor observed that utilization of potent communication tools like social media, print and electronic media by the experts is vital to spread awareness and educate the masses regarding the pandemic.

The Government has earlier also roped in the religious leaders for message to the people, besides the routine official announcements regarding various advisories and other aspects, which is showing encouraging results on ground to stop the religious gatherings, he maintained.

The doctors also sought the Government’s nod to procure the protective gears locally, on which, the Lt Governor asked the Doctors to go ahead with the local procurement of masks and other protective gears but only after certifying their efficacy and authenticity. He further said that the issue pertaining to the accommodation of resident doctors would also be looked into.

While interacting with the Principal, Government Medical College Kathua, the Lt Governor observed that being at the entry point of the UT, their role has become very crucial and further asked him to take all the preemptive measures to contain the virus.

Residents demand mass testing to overcome fear
Kashmir News Trust
Gund Jahangir (Bandipora), Apr 14: COVID-19 crisis has shaken the people of Gund Jahangir area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. A hamlet with population of 3,301 as per 2011 Census is presenting a ghost look with everyone staying indoors. “Stepping out is to invite virus to your house. There is so much fear among people,” said Sajad Ahmed, a student to Kashmir News Trust.

There are about 435 households in the hamlet which has recorded 26 COVID-19 confirmed positive cases and a death.

There are kids, females, young and old who are infected with COVID-19 infection in the village.

Ironically, the deceased Covid-19 patient from the Gund Jahangeer hamlet had no travel history. Locals believe that the infection spread among people from its neighbouring Naidkhai village where 3 positive cases were reported.

“When Naidkhai reported its first COVID-19 case, Gundjahangeer was free of Coronavirus. Three persons, affiliated with Tableegi Jamat were the first three cases reported from Naidkhai. All the three persons had come in contact with first deceased COVID-19 patient hailing from Sopore.

A medico said that dozens of reports are still awaited and all these samples have been collected in Gundjahangeer. “Some more positive cases may surface in the hamlet as a large number of people are already in quarantine,” he said.

North Kashmir’s Bandipora district with a population of over 4 lakh people has recorded over 50 COVID-19 positive cases.

Locals from Gundjahangeer demanded that mass testing should be conducted so that they could come out from the present trauma. “At least through testing it will become clear who are free of infection and who need care,” they said.

Restrictions to be eased in areas after April 20

1,463 new cases, 27 deaths in last 24 hours, death toll mounts to 353.

United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 14: Twenty-one day lockdown of 1.3 billion people in India, set to end on Tuesday, was further extended till May 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the upward tick of novel coronavirus cases continued crossing 10,000 mark.

PM Modi, in a televised address, announced the extension of nationwide lockdown saying the pandemic cannot be allowed to spread any further.

The country registered 1,463 new Covid cases and 27 deaths in last 24 hours, taking the total positive cases to 10,815 and death toll to 353.

Laying the roadmap ahead for the nation, the Prime Minister said that restrictions will be eased in areas where the lockdown is implemented properly and new cases are not registered till April 20.

PM Modi acknowledged that the country is paying a heavy price for the shutdown that has brought the economy to a standstill. ‘It undoubtedly looks costly right now, but measured against the lives of Indian citizens, there is no comparison’, he said.

Referring to extending the lockdown, Health Ministry’s Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, in a daily briefing, said that their first effort was to break chain of transmission.

“That is why we follow up for 28 days. That is why we are promoting social distancing with lockdown. Each city and every district will undergo an evaluation till April 20; thereafter limited activity will be allowed in selected areas which have controlled the situation well”, Agarwal said.

While admitting that there was a surge in cases, he said as many as 179 people have been cured in last 24 hours and total number of discharged have reached 1,036.

“As of now, a total of 602 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals with 1,06,719 isolation beds and 12,024 ICU beds have been developed”, he informed.

United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 14: Expressing deep gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending the ongoing lockdown till May 3, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the decision was taken to protect India and the lives of Indians in view of curbing spread of COVID19.

In a series of tweets, he said that the way all State Governments have been working in coordination with the Central Government is praise worthy. “ Now we have to deepen this coordination so that all citizens should observe the lockdown guidelines and no citizen should face any problem in getting the essential commodities”, he said.

As the Home Ministry of the country, Shah also assured the countrymen that there has been a sufficient stocks of food, medicine and other essential goods, so there was no need to panic. ”I also request the affluent people of the society to come forward and help the poor living nearby.

Appreciating the role and contribution of the doctors, health workers, sweepers and all security personnel who have been playing an important role in containing the spread of this deadly disease, Shah said that it was very touching. “Your courage and understanding in this odd circumstances, inspires every Indian, hence everyone should follow the guidelines and cooperate with them”, he added in his tweet message.

Lauding the role played by he BJP workers under the auspices of Prime Minister Modi and party chief JP Nadda, for helping the poor and needy people, is praise worthy and is a matter of pride. I hope that they will take good care of their health too”, Shah said.