54- year old Bandipora man dies in Srinagar hospital
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: Kashmir recorded it’s this COVID-19 death on Tuesday    after a 54-year-old died in a hospital here.
Official sources said that a patient, a resident of Bandipora, was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Srinagar after he tested positive for the infection. “The patient developed complication and died in the hospital,” they added.
Though, Medical Superintendent SMHS, Dr Nazir Chowdary told a local news agency Kashmir News Trust that the man was suffering from Pneumonia and he has been waiting for the report to ascertain whether the person was a COVID -19 patient or not, but, Nodal Officer for Coronavirus and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sumbal, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari confirmed to KNT that the deceased was infected with COVID-19 and was shifted to hospital for treatment. “Yes, the man was tested positive for COVID-19 infection and unfortunately he died in Srinagar hospital today,” Bukhari said.
Bukhari added that district administration has been asked to carry on   the burial of the deceased as per the COVID-19 protocol.
It’s in place to mention here that a 62-year-old man died on March 29 at Chest Disease hospital less than 12 hours after being tested positive for Coronavirus in the Valley.
A 65-year-old Hyderpora resident had become the first person to die due to deadly infection in J&K on March 26.

Sajid Raina

Bandipora, Apr 7: A Bandipora man, who died due to Coronavirus was laid to rest at Gund-Jehangeer village of Hajin area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district  on Tuesday.

Nodal Officer for COVID-19 Sumbal, Syed Shahnawaz told KNO that five people including close relatives of the deceased were allowed to participate in the funeral prayers after wearing proper protective equipment.
Relatives said the deceased was laid to rest at 3 pm. Officials said the large gathering was not allowed at the burial ground as a social distancing measure.

A senior doctor told-KNO that deceased had no travel history or contact with any COVID-19 patient.

As per the guidelines laid by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), no bathing, kissing and hugging of deceased COVID-19 patient is allowed and same was followed in this case also. (KNO)

118 active cases, 94 in Kashmir, 24 in Jammu; 37713 under surveillance
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: Fifteen more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday taking the tally of the infected persons across the Union Territory to 125.
“125 cases in all now;118 active cases; 24 in Jammu Division, 94 in Kashmir, 6 new cases in Jammu division today, 9 in Kashmir. Aggressive contact tracing red zones to continue,” J&K UT spokesman Rohit Kansal wrote on twitter.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19),  37713 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance in J&K and so far. Of 125 positive cases, 118 are active positive, four have recovered and three have died.

Furthermore, 9209 persons have been kept in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 567 in Hospital Quarantine, 118 in hospital isolation and 20735 under home surveillance. Besides, 7084 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin said that till date 1900 samples have been sent for testing of which 1763 have tested as negative, and 12 reports are awaited till April 07, 2020.

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.

It also urged people to stay active and follow short exercises workout plan to stay healthy.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, when so many of us are very restricted in our movements, it is even more important for people of all ages and abilities to be as active as possible. Even a short break from sitting, by doing 3-5 minutes of physical movement, such as walking indoor or stretching, will help ease muscle strain, relieve mental tension and improve blood circulation and muscle activity,” the advisory said.

The general public is 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 door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.

Furthermore a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 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).

With regard to personal hygiene, the advisory stressed on frequent hand washing with soap and water and to observe, coughing and sneezing etiquettes.

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 in this regard 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.

Tally rises to 4789; 124 deaths, 352 cured so far

United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 7: With a spike in fresh cases since Tuesday morning, confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus in the country by evening reached 4789, according to the health ministry data.
Currently the active COVID cases in the country stand at 4312 with fresh 331 active cases adding up since morning the Health Ministry said.
Total deaths due to the deadly virus have reached 124, so far , as per the government data.
Number of cases cured so far are now 352, according to the government data.
A COVID-19 infected person can infect 406 people in 30 days, said Joint Secretary Union Health Ministry briefing the media on Tuesday evening.
Agarwal further said that the Union government has been adopting strategy for cluster containment and for outbreaks which are amenable to management.
“Happy to note that this strategy is producing positive results, especially in Agra, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Pathanamthitta, Bhilwara and East Delhi”, he said and added, “In Mumbai and in other districts too, action is being taken as per this containment strategy and action plan”.

He said that Smart Cities are using technology to manage COVID-19, in surveillance, contact tracing, home quarantine management, information dissemination, training, predictive analysis using heat maps and counseling, and notably, in Pune, Surat, Bengaluru and Tumakuru.
The senior government official further said that the Health Ministry has come out with a guidance document on appropriate management of suspects and confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
According to health ministry, more than 1445 cases out of the total are related to the Tablighi Jamaat.
Around 25500 Jamaat workers and their contacts have been quarantined, while 1750 foreign Tablighi workers have been blacklisted, MHA had said.
In the past two to three days, confirmed cases have rapidly spiked in Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, according to the government data.
There are 868 cases in Maharashtra, 621 in Tamil Nadu and 576 in Delhi.

KINS

Srinagar, Apr 7: Hundreds of Kashmiri students, businessmen and labourers are stranded in various parts of the country and have appealed the government to evacuate them from there.

Scores of Kashmir labourers are stuck in Amritsar since the government announced lockdown to combat the COVID-19.

“Our tests have been done which have turned negative. We live in small rooms amid hot weather. Please take us to Kashmir. If government wants do further tests there and we will also be in quarantine in Kashmir,” an elderly man, who is stranded in Amritsar told Kashmir Indepth News Service  over phone.

Another Kashmiri man said there were no arrangements for them. “We are already running out of money. We may die here because of hunger. We have been under complete lockdown. Nobody is coming forward to help us,” he added.

Similarly, there are hundreds of Kashmiri students who are stranded in Punjab and have been urging authorities to evacuate them from there.

“We have been left to fend for ourselves,” said a Kashmiri student Omar Ahmad.

He said they were running out of money and all the stock they had brought has exhausted. “We don’t have money even to buy medicines. My parents are worried about me,” he said.

Another student stuck in Bangalore said, “Our families are worried about our safety. It is scary to stay here. We are even not able to make a video call to our families due to slow internet speed in Kashmir. We want to leave for our home as soon as possible. We want to survive to see the faces of our family members.”
Bashir Ahmad, who is stranded in Goa, has also appealed the government to evacuate them from there. “We don’t know how to survive. All the money we had earned has been exhausted,” he said.

‘Rumours aimed at creating artificial scarcity’

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: The government has said that Kashmir is receiving regular supplies of medicines and that there is no shortage in the region.

It said that this clarification is due after a news report has suggested otherwise and reports of hoarding of medicines and panic among the general public as a result of it are being received from different areas.

It said that there are sufficient stocks of all kinds of medicines available for at least one month with stockists in Kashmir — adding that regular supplies are being received from Jammu from where bulk – around three-fourths – of Kashmir’s retail market requirement is catered.

These drugs include both life-saving medicines and those categorised as general drugs. The former include all major kinds ranging from anti-cancer to insulin preparations to respiratory to nephrology to critical care.

It said the remaining requirement of 25-30 percent is being received from Delhi in special Indian airforce flights as and when required.

The government has urged the general public not to heed unofficial sources. It said that such tactics are used to create artificial scarcity which hoarders use to their advantage.

Meanwhile the government has issued strict warnings against hoarders of medicines and those indulging in rumours suggesting shortage. It warned that strict action under law will be initiated against offenders.

JKAP welcomes moves, demands lifting of PSA on her
Iltija Mufti says her mother will speak as soon as restrictions are lifted
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: Demanding former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to be set free, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah said merely shifting her home while keeping her under detention was a cop out.
Mehbooba was on Tuesday shifted from a Srinagar sub-jail to her official residence, where she was put under house arrest.
“@MehboobaMufti must be set free. Shifting her home while continuing to keep her detained is a cop out,” Omar , who is a former chief minister, wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
Welcoming the shifting of Mehbooba from a makeshift jail to her residence, Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) led by Altaf Bukhari also demanded that the Public Safety Act (PSA) of the PDP president be revoked and she be released.
The JKAP also demanded immediate release of all political leaders and activists who are still under preventive detention post August 5, 2019 in and outside J&K jails.
In a statement here, a JKAP leader Rafi Ahmed Mir, urged the Government of India to take a purpose oriented call on these unwarranted detentions and free all political detainees including Ms Mufti who has now been confined to her home.
“While it is heartening that shifting of Ms Mufti would provide some solace to her family, the situation demands that all political leaders and activists who continue to be under detention on mere suspicion should be freed in order to make the situation more conducive,” he said.
“JKAP demands immediate release of all political detainees including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Naeem Akhter, Sartaj Madni, Peerzada Mansoor, Shah Faesal, Hilal Rather, Mian Qayoom, Yain Khan and others without any further delay,” he demanded.
He also sought immediate shifting of political activists and workers, who are languishing in jails outside J&K since August 5, 2019 to Jammu and Kashmir after the COVID-19 lockdown is over. “We want to make it clear that a total redemption of the situation is not possible unless all political detainees are released. Shifting of Ms Mufti to her residence, though late, is a step in right direction and welcoming,” he added.
Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, who has been landing her mother’s twitter handle, wrote: “Ms Mufti is home but still booked under PSA. Media wasn’t given access to her at all despite waiting for hours. Is GOI scared that she’ll articulate her views on illegal abrogation of Article 370? Time doesn’t change facts or erase a betrayal etched in memory.”
Iltija said when restrictions are finally lifted on her mother, she will approach all stakeholders for a joint strategy to move forward. “She will also speak to the press about her views on what transpired post 5th August,” she wrote.
‘All Kashmiris illegally detained since 5th August deserve freedom. Their continued incarceration even in times of a global pandemic undermines our democratic credentials. Nevertheless, I’d like to thank everyone for their support & good wishes,’ Iltija tweeted.

United News of India

Srinagar, Apr 7: Incessant rain lashed the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir on Tuesday, resulting in considerable dip in the maximum temperature.

Meanwhile, the night temperature also dipped due to intermittent rain and settled slightly below normal in most places in the valley, where a weather warning has been issued during which isolated heavy rain and thundershowers with gusty winds (30 to 40 km per hour) would occur on Tuesday.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that light rain and thundershowers would occur at some places in the valley during the next 24 hours under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region.

He said there is another weather warning for Thursday during which isolated heavy rain and thundershowers with gusty winds (30 to 40 km per hour) would occur.

After witnessing a dip of about a degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly and cloudy Tuesday morning in Srinagar. Against 7.4 degree recorded on Monday, the night temperature in the city was 6.5, degree, which is slightly below normal. However, as the day progressed sun came out from behind the cloudy, resulting in some improvement in the temperature. The weather again turned cloudy in the afternoon followed by heavy rain in Srinagar.

He said skies would be generally cloudy to partly cloudy during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 19 degree and 7 degree, respectively.

The skies were cloudy in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, resulting in dip in the day temperature. The ski resort was the only place in the valley where the mercury settled below freezing point. Against minus 0.4 degree, the night temperature in Gulmarg was minus 0.5 degree, which is a degree below normal. The ski resort remained deserted as the 21-day lock down continued in the country to curtail spread of Coronavirus.

The day temperature dipped at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, due to intermittent light to moderate rain. Against 5 degree recorded on Monday, the night temperature dipped and settled at 1.2 degree.

Incessant intermittent rain also lashed other parts of the valley, including Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag.