^{New Delhi, Mar 31: A total of 1397 cases have been reported in the country so far, 124 have been discharged/cured and death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 35.}

^{As many as 227 new COVID cases were reported in India in the past 24 hours — the fastest rise in a single day, however, the Health Ministry on Tuesday sought to downplay this, saying it was because the number of Coronavirus hotspots in the country have increased.}

^{Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, briefing the press, speaking on the rising number of hotspots, said this was since even an area with a single case can become a ‘hotspot’, if the Government felt that there was possibility of a wider spread in that area.}

^{“Even if there is one case, that location becomes a hotspot for us. We then begin contact tracing and isolation,” he said downplaying the spread of the disease.}

^{He attributed the increase in cases to “people not declaring their positive-status on time.”}

^{Asked if healthy people should be wearing face masks, he responded that not everyone needed to wear a mask. “It helps in keeping people from touching your face. So wear a mask if it helps.. but you don’t need to wear a mask depending on risk of exposure.”}

^{Referring to lack of easy availability of masks, Agarwal said the government has advised the common people “do not always need to wear masks when they step out.” He said the matter of using homemade masks was also being considered in a technical manner.}

^{On the issue of testing kits, Agarwal said if there were suppliers supplying testing kits at cheaper price of the same specification, they could get in touch with ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava.}

^{Questioned about Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain saying the state government wanted JN stadium to be turned into a temporary hospital but the Centre refused, he said he was not aware of the matter.}

UK, Spain report biggest single-day jump in death toll
New Delhi, Mar 31:  Spain has reported 849 new deaths from the Coronavirus, the highest overnight jump since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total number of fatalities in the country to 8,189.
The death toll in the United Kingdom also jumped to 1,789 fatalities with a daily record of 381 new coronavirus deaths confirmed.
In the United States, further restrictions on movement are being considered to curb the spread of the virus, with the country now reporting twice the number of cases as China where the outbreak began late last year. The US has nearly 163,500 confirmed cases, the highest number in the world, and more than 3,000 deaths.
Around the world, more than 800,000 people have been confirmed to have the virus, and nearly 165,000 have recovered. More than 37,500 people have died.

^{United News of India
New Delhi, Mar 31: The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered a case against the Maulana and others for the violation of government directions and for organising the religious congregation against directions.}

^{The Maulana and others of Tablighi Jamaat have been booked with regard to not following the restriction of social, political, religious gathering and for other safety measures.}

^{The case has been registered against Maulana Saad and others of the Tablighi Jamaat under Section 3 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, read with appropriate Sections of IPC, for violations of the government directions, given to the management.}

^{According to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, 441 people, who were taken out of the Markaz and showed symptoms similar to COVID-19, were admitted to different hospitals for testing, while 24 of the persons who stayed there, have tested positive for the pandemic, so far.}

^{The number may increase, the Delhi CM warned, adding that 1107 people have been kept under quarantine, while 1548 people have been evacuated from there.}

^{Meanwhile, as per the government sources, around 1,746 were people staying in the Markaz, as of March 21.}

^{Srinagar, Mar 31: Amid COVID -19 outbreak in Kashmir, majority of the newspaper distributors have decided not to distribute newspapers from Wednesday.}

 ^{Main distributors including Fayaz Trali, Mudasir Ahmed and Irshand Ahmed with whom over 200 hawkers are associated will not distribute the newspapers from Wednesday.}

  ^{Irshad Ahmed, one among the three distributors told Kashmir News Trust that except Greater Kashmir, Srinagar Times and Daily Aftab, they distribute all the newspapers that hit the stands. “We won’t distribute the newspapers from tomorrow as our hawkers are scared of touching the newspapers and roaming from place to place,” he said.}

^{Irfan A Mir}

^{Srinagar: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal Tuesday urged people who came from outside J&K since February 14, to reveal their travel history without compelling law enforcement agencies to take action. He said that those whosoever tries to hide their travel history, will be sent to outside jails.}

^{Talking to a local news agency SSP Srinagar asked people to follow all the precautions required for keeping COVID-19. “People must reveal their travel history voluntarily for the wellbeing of entire community”, the SSP said.}

^{The SSP added police have taken strict cognizance of violations and have registered FIRs against 5 persons so far who pushed entire society into uncertainty.}

^{He also added that Police are compiling data of those who evaded screening and soon legal action will be taken against the persons. “We will not tolerate those who are trying to take the authorities for granted and evading screening. Even authorities are thinking on the subject that the violators be sent to outside jails”, he said.}

^{Precious Kashmir News}

^{Srinagar, Mar 31 The world is facing a severe and acute health emergency due to ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and rigorous measures are being taken to mitigate and contain the transmission of this infection and the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar, is trying hard to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increase in rate of transmission, the medical advice points toward the curtailment of social contact, which is key to reduce the spread of this deadly infection, Director SKIMS said in a statement, here the other day.}

^{Urging people to adhere to the health advisories and maintain social distancing protocol in all aspects of life- social and religious, Dr. Ahanger said that saving humans from harm is the essence of every religion and in current situation it can be assured by staying home and maintaining WHO protocol.}

^{The statement reads that the SKIMS witnessed a very good and positive development in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. The first positive case, an elderly lady with a history of foreign travel and symptomatic was  admitted for management of COVID-19 infection, has responded very well to the treatment, and has, in fact, recovered with repeated tests as negative in 24 hours on the 14th day. The patient has progressive recovery and is being shifted to Level-II for further quarantine purpose.}

^{Dr. Ahangar further said that SKIMS continues to bear the brunt of COVID-19 patients both symptomatic and falling in line in the suspected cases under various protocols and till date, the Institute has admitted 133 cases of which 21 have been discharged while 6 positive cases are under treatment. Besides, the UT’s Viral Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (VDRL) has tested 219 samples so far, out of which 8 have been tested positive, while the others are negative. However most of these patients admitted for observation continue to be under surveillance in coordination with the Directorate of Health Services and other Nodal Agencies of Jammu & Kashmir.}

^{In the fight against the Covid-19, the statement said the SKIMS shares the resolve of JK UT’s administration including that of  Lt Governor GC Murmu, Advisor, Basser Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam, Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Principals of SKIMS MC and GMC Srinagar and Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Matoo and his team members, to save the lives of our people.}

^{The statement reads that due to influx of patients, people is again requested to observe and follow all Government Advisories as well as the instructions from various Health Institutions/ and Agencies with regard to prevention and control of this infection as slow down in infection rate decreases the pressure on health institutions and can go a long way in better management of COVID-19 positive cases.}

^{Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying home, avoiding crowded places, washing hands with soap and warm water, practicing good respiratory hygiene, avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, strictly following official lockdown, avoiding social or religious gatherings, maintaining personal, following cough and sneezing etiquettes, not  sharing items of daily items and above all  reporting to healthcare agencies in  the event of developing symptoms related to COVID-19, especially when there is history of others being in contact of a proven cases of COVID-19 infection or with a travel history to or from an infected area or having been a healthcare worker treating such patients.  I would again urge my fellow citizens to be more concerned, careful, staying indoors, stay safe, help others to live without any scare or panic. The updated data about Corona Virus epidemic at SKIMS is reproduced as under:-}

^{Sharing details Dr. Ahanger said that so far 152 Corona virus cases have been treated at the Institute while 9 patients found positive are presently under treatment in Isolation ward and 91 suspected patients are at quarantine ward( whose test report  is presently negative).}

^{Besides, 33 patients have been discharged till date, 3 patients who were admitted yester have been detected positive and 19 suspected patients who were admitted today for investigation and management are awaiting tests.}

^{He further revealed that till date Microbiology Lab of the Institute has conducted 219 tests, out of which 11 have been reported positive.}

^{Srinagar, Mar 31: Amid surge in coronavirus cases, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday declared seven areas in central Kashmir and 20 villages elsewhere as red-zones.}

^{According to the official announcement, Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar besides Chadoora in Budgam district have been declared as Red Zones.}

^{Similarly 20 villages including Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama and Waskura in Ganderbal besides Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian have also been declared red zones to the prevent spread of the coronavirus.}

^{The government has already said that several areas surrounding location of covid-19 cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, and Rajouri in the interest of controlling spread of the dreaded disease.}

 ^{“Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control spread of #Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri,” tweeted Rohit Kansal.}

 ^{“This is purely in the interest of controlling spread of #coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on real time basis,” Kansal, who is also the government spokesman said.  “Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in right spirit,” he added.}

^{Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the sealing of the areas is important and indispensable. “With some more cases coming positive these areas will be restricted till all precautions and measures are in places,” he added.}

Srinagar: Eleven more persons tested positive for COVID-19 across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, taking the number of positive cases to 49 across J&K UT.
An official said that eight people tested positive for the COVID-19 in Kashmir, while three tested positive in Jammu today. “Number of cases in Kashmir has risen to 37 while in Jammu region it has gone to 12,” the official added.
A local news agency GNS while quoting official sources said that a number of test reports were received today, confirming eight positive cases. While four of them are admitted in SKIMS Soura, two each are presently in JLNM and district hospital Pulwama respectively, they said.
Two among them are residents of Sedow and Ramnagri of Shopian district in south Kashmir and have a travel history to Indonesia. The duo had also shared a sumo vehicle on way to home from Jammu to Srinagar with a COVID-19 patient from Bemina Srinagar, they said.

The two persons admitted in JLNM hospital include a father-son duo. Residents of Bemina Srinagar, the 61-year-old male and his 32-year-old son had returned from Saudi Arabia on March 16, sharing the same flight as that of the Kashmir’s first COVID-19 patient, a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar Srinagar who has almost recovered fully since and her latest test came out to be negative.

A senior officer at SKIMS also confirmed to GNS that four more persons tested positive for COVID-19 and include a 36-year-old a resident of Lal Bazar who had recently returned from Kolkata while two others include 30-year-old male from Saderkote Balla Bandipora who is believed to be contact of a precious COVID-19 patient while another is a 27-year-old youth from Soibugh area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district who has travelled to Orissa as part of a ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ and had returned recently.
The other one is a 24-year-old from Noorbagh area of Srinagar and had returned from Haryana recently, the sources added.
Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo said that 21 suspected persons were admitted to the hospital on Monday and their sample have been sent for the test.
The CD hospital at Dalgate has been now designated full-fledged COVID-19 positive patients in wake of growing number of patients.
When contacted HoD Chest Disease Hospital, Dr Naveed Nazir Shah said that as per the new circular, only COVID-19 patients are to be admitted to the hospital now. “We are in the process of shifting the other patients whose test came negative to quarantine centers in Zakura and other government designated places.”
Regarding positive cases reported earlier in the day, he said 29 test reports were received and of them 25 came out to be negative and four as positive. “Two of them are admitted in District hospital Pulwama and two others are at JLNM hospital.”
“We have 15 samples of the CD hospital pending and nearly 100 samples which are expected from JLNM and other hospitals,”  Dr Naveed said.

Sources said over 50 patients have been shifted from JLNM hospital to NIT Dargah for quarantine by the authorities.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 48 positive cases 44 are active positive, 2 have recovered and 2 have died.

Till date 11644 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which also include 355 persons who are in Hospital Isolation and Hospital Quarantine.

The bulletin further said that 722 samples have been sent for testing of which 659 have tested as negative and 15 reports are awaited till March 30, 2020.

Meanwhile, 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).

According to the advisory, Globally, COVID-19 has impacted several lives and is steadily increasing its reach. “Government is taking necessary measures including imposition of lockdown to contain the spread of the virus to protect and safeguard the lives of people and it is therefore critical for each one of us to follow the advisories and take necessary precautions to break the chain of transmission of the disease,” the advisory read.

People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

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.

“Public in general is therefore advised to avoid un-necessary travel & use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.

The Advisory urged people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.(With inputs From GNS)