16 from Kashmir valley, 7 from Udhampur-Jammu, 46158 under surveillance
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, Apr 10: The Government Friday informed that 46158 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir and so far 207 cases have tested positive for novel coronavirus.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 207 positive cases, 197 are Active Positive, 06 have recovered and 04 have died.
Furthermore, 7726 persons have been kept in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 415 in Hospital Quarantine, 197 in hospital isolation and 27891 under home surveillance. Besides, 9925 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
The Bulletin further said that till date 2754 samples have tested as negative till April 10, 2020.
Providing district wise stats, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 51 positive cases wherein 49 are Active Positive, 01 have recovered and 01 have died, Bandipora 36 positive cases with 33 Active Positive, 02 have recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 30 positive cases with 29 Active Positive, 0 recovered and 01 died, Budgam 10 positive cases and all are Active Positive, Pulwama 03 positive cases-all Active Positive, Shopian and Kupwara with 13 positive cases each and all are Active Positive, and Ganderbal and Kulgam with 02 and 03 positive cases respectively all of whom are Active Positive.
Similarly, Jammu has 06 positive cases who are Active Positive, Udhampur 17 positive cases of which 16 are Active Positive, 0 recovered and 01 died, while as Rajouri and Kishtwar have 03 and 01 positive cases respectively wherein all the three in Rajouri are Active Positive and the single positive case has recovered fully in Kishtwar district.
The Bulletin also said that there are 19 positive cases of patients belonging to other States/UTs of which 17 are Active Positive and 02 cases have recovered.
Officials said that among the 23 fresh cases, 16 were tested positive in Kashmir Valley and seven in Jammu. Regarding Jammu cases, they said, six are contacts of a 61-year-old woman who died on April 8 and are all residents of Udhampur district, the home town of the deceased Covid-19 patient.
A senior officer from the district said that 12 contacts of the deceased woman were immediately traced and 10 were sampled in Udhampur. Out of these, test reports of seven of them have turned out to be positive.
The woman, who was the first Coronavirus casualty in the Jammu region, was cremated in Jammu and not taken to her hometown of Tikri in Udhampur district on Thursday, officials said.
Among the 16 cases in Kashmir, officials said ten are from Kupwara and Baramulla districts while as one is from Srinagar and seven are non local visitors from Kerala, who were part of Tableegi Jamaat.
Meanwhile, according to the advisory issued in the media bulletin, smoking cigarettes/bidis /kreteks/sheesha/hookah/water pipes and other forms of smoking products can increase the chances of getting Covid-19 by transferring the virus by bringing hands to the mouth.
“Smoking damages lungs, heart and other body parts and may increase your risk of getting a severe case of Covid-19,” the advisory reads, while emphasizing upon smokers to quit smoking.
People are informed to use ‘Aarogya Setu' mobile application developed by Government of India that uses Bluetooth and GPS to inform when one might be possibly at risk of exposure. The users of the app are empowered with better information on the potential risk of infection, self- assessment tools and contextual advice. The app can be downloaded for Android on Google Play and iOS on Apple App Store.
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 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 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 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.
News Agency KNO add from Srinagar: Nodal officer for coronavirus at SKIMS Dr G H Yatoo told that out of test reports received today, ten were tested positive at SKIMS besides that four more suspected patients were admitted at the Institute.
Dr Naveed Ahmad Shah Head of department Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar told that 8 persons including 7 non-locals were tested positive at CD hospital today, who are in quarantine at EDI Pampore.
“Further we are going to take final sample of the patients whose repeated tests came negative and this report will come negative again, they will be discharged,” he said
Deputy Medical superintendent JLNM Rainawari Dr Tabasum told that 22 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital and reports of patients whose repeated samples were taken are expected to come tomorrow.
Dr Jameel Ahmad Mir, Medical Superintendent District hospital Pulwama said that 22 more samples were taken today and among the reports received today none was positive.
- ‘No religious gathering, procession during lockdown'
NL Correspondent
New Delhi, Apr 10 : In view of the upcoming festivals, the Centre asked the states and Union territories on Friday to strictly adhere to the ongoing 21-day lockdown and not allow any social or religious gathering and procession. In a communication, the Union Home Ministry also said that appropriate vigil on social media should be maintained against circulation of any objectionable content. In view of the festivals in April, the home ministry has directed all states and UTs to ensure a strict compliance of the lockdown measures to fight COVID-19 and not allow any social, religious gathering or procession, an official statement said. While Shab-e-Barat was on Thursday, today is Good Friday. Baisakhi, Rongali Bihu, Vishu, Poila Boishakh, Puthandu, Maha Vishuba Sankranti etc. are also in April. In the communication, the home ministry has requested the states and UTs that for the attention of the public authorities, social and religious organisations and citizens, the respective provisions of the guidelines should be widely circulated. It adds that for any violation of the lockdown measures, action under the relevant penal provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Indian Penal Code (IPC) should be taken by the law-enforcing agencies. The consolidated guidelines on the lockdown measures to be taken by the ministries and departments of the government of India, states and Union territories for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country were notified by the home ministry on March 24, 25, 27, April 2 and 3. Clauses 9 and 10 of the consolidated guidelines state that no religious congregation will be allowed without any exception and all social, cultural, religious functions and gatherings shall be barred. The home ministry communicated to the states and UTs to inform the district authorities and field agencies about the specific prohibitions as mentioned in the consolidated guidelines on lockdown measures. The district administrations should take all precautionary and preventive measures for the maintenance of law and order, peace and public tranquillity, the ministry said. The 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
