by Tahir Bhat
SRINAGAR: The number of Covid-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 1013 on Friday, after ten more patients tested positive for the dreaded virus. With this, the total number of positive cases reported today has reached 30.
An official said that ten more persons tested positive for COVID-19 from Srinagar and Kupwara from a private laboratory in Kashmir.
He said that they include four women aged 31, 37, 40 and 16 from Hyderpora, Nawa Kadal, Alamgari Bazar and Nawakdal area of Srinagar respectively and an equal number of men aged 35, 40, 40, 40 years from Alamgari Bazar, Srinagar, Chanpora and Parimpora areas respectively.
“Two men aged 35 and 55 also tested positive from Kupwara district,” he said.
As of now, J&K has reported 1013 cases, out of which 489 are Active Positive, 513 have recovered and eleven have died.
Moreover, 28 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals of Kashmir Division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 70306 test results available, 69293 samples have tested as negative till May 15, 2020.
Additionally, till date 105941 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 27760 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 142 in Hospital Quarantine, 489 in hospital isolation and 13254 under home surveillance. Besides, 64285 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 135 positive cases (including 01 reported today) with 12 Active Positive, 122 recovered (including 05 recoveries today), 01 death; Srinagar has 153 positive cases (including 11 reported today) with 65 Active Positive, 84 recovered, 04 deaths; Anantnag district has 145 positive cases with 118 Active Positive, 26 recovered (including 03 recoveries today), 01 death; Baramulla has 116 positive cases (including 06 reported today) with 46 Active Positive, 67 recovered (including 10 recoveries today), 03 deaths; Shopian has 107 positive cases with 44 Active Positive, 63 recovered (including 03 reported today); Kupwara has 85 positive cases (including 02 reported today) with 37 Active Positive, 48 recovered (including 03 recoveries today); Budgam has 52 positive cases with 31 Active Positive and 21 recovered cases (including 03 recoveries today); Ganderbal has 23 positive cases with 09 Active case and 14 recoveries; Kulgam has 72 positive cases with 66 Active Positive and 06 recoveries; Pulwama reported 15 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 10 active positive, 05 recovered (including 01 reported today).
Similarly, Jammu has 39 positive cases (including 01 new case reported today) with 12 active positive cases and 26 recoveries and 01 death; Udhampur has 24 positive cases (including 01 reported today) with 04 active positive cases, 19 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 11 positive cases with 07 Active Positive and 04 recoveries; Rajouri has 05 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 01 active positive case and 04 recovered; Kathua has 21 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 20 Active positive and 01 recovered; Kishtwar had only 01 positive cases who has recovered; Ramban has 06 positive cases (including 02 reported today) with 05 active positive and 01 recovered while Reasi has 03 positive cases with 02 active positive and 01 recovered.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
As per the bulletin, the public has been informed that, “people of all ages can be infected by the Novel Coronavirus as the elderly people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable towards severe illness with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene”.
“The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others and frequently cleaning your hands with an alcohol based hand rub or wash them with soap and water”, the Advisory further informed the people.
The bulletin again explains that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.
As a measure for social distancing in public places & workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.
Advisory urged people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water.”
In case of any emergency, people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.
People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 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).
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 also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.
