SRINAGAR: Two bakers from Pulwama district were among 40 fresh cases of the COVID-19 infection in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, taking the overall tally closer to 1500.
Quoting official sources, news agency GNS reported that 18 of the cases were reported from Shopian, four from Samba, three each from Baramulla and Kupwara, two each from Anantnag, Srinagar, Pulwama, Rajouri while one case each was reported from Kulgam, Bandipora, Budgam and Poonch. The overall case tally has risen to 1489—749 of them active positive cases—603 in Kashmir and 146 in Jammu. 720 patients have recovered, 36 of them were discharged today, while 20 others have died.
Sources said that 16 of these cases, all from Shopian district, were confirmed at viral diagnostic lab at SKIMS Bemina, ten at viral diagnostic laboratory at SKIMS Soura, seven at Microbiology Lab of CD Hospital and remaining at Jammu and private labs.
Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS Soura, Dr G H Yatoo said that ten samples out of 2088 which returned positive include those of three persons each from Baramulla and Kupwara, two from Shopian— a 25-year-old woman from Palpora and 45-year-old Memandarwhile one each is from Srinagar—19-year-old man Hyderpora and Budgam—a 23-year-old man from Sheikhpora.
The Kupwara cases include three men— 30-year-old from Handwara, 42-year-old from Lolab and 32-year-old from Hyhama while those from Baramulla include 30-year-old male from Wuhama Rafiabad besides 30-year-old each woman and a man from Hardichillo Tangmarg.
Dr Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar told GNS that out of 720 samples processed at Microbiology Lab of CD Hospital here, seven returned positive.
Sources said that they include two bakers from Pinglena Pulwama, one of them is 30-year-old and other 55-year-old. The other cases include a 65-year-old woman from Malnag Anantnag, an 85-year-old man from Qazigund Kulgam, 25-year-old from Drarangan Anantnag, 38-year-old woman, initially admitted to LD hospital and now shifted to JVC Bemina and 48-year-old woman pneumonia patient from Kargil, admitted to SMHS hospital Srinagar.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 1489 positive cases, 749 are Active Positive, 720 have recovered and 20 have died; 02 in Jammu division and 18 in Kashmir division.
Moreover, 36 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 01 from Jammu division and 35 from Kashmir Division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 114859 test results available, 113370 samples have been tested as negative till May 22, 2020.
Additionally, till date 128517 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 32077 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 73 in Hospital Quarantine, 749 in hospital isolation and 25132 under home surveillance. Besides, 70466 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 138 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 08 Active Positive, 129 recovered (including 01 case recovered today), 01 death; Srinagar has 176 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 71 Active Positive, 99 recovered (including 02 cases recovered today), 06 deaths; Anantnag district has 266 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today), with 153 Active Positive, 109 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today), 04 deaths; Baramulla has 132 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 37 Active Positive, 91 recovered, 04 deaths; Shopian has 127 positive cases (including 18 cases reported today) with 25 Active Positive, 102 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today); Kupwara has 128 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 79 Active Positive, 49 recovered (including 01 case recovered today); Budgam has 63 positive cases (including 01 case reported today), with 26 Active Positive and 35 recovered cases (including 05 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths; Ganderbal has 27 positive cases with 12 Active cases and 15 recoveries; Kulgam has 193 positive cases (including 01 reported today), with 180 Active Positive and 12 recoveries (including 02 cases reported today) and 01 death and Pulwama reported 21 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 12 active positive, 09 recovered.
Similarly, Jammu has 68 positive cases with 36 active positive cases and 31 recoveries and 01 death; Udhampur has 33 positive cases with 11 active positive case, 21 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 20 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 13 Active Positive and 07 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today); Rajouri has 10 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 06 active positive cases and 04 recovered; Kathua has 40 positive cases with 36 Active positive and 04 recovered; Kishtwar has 07 positive case with 06 active positive case and 01 recovered; Ramban has 30 positive cases with 29 active positive and 01 recovered; Reasi has 04 positive cases with 03 active positive and 01 recovered, Poonch has 05 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 05 active positive cases while Doda has 01 active positive case.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The advisory has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap & water and following good respiratory etiquettes and hygiene.
As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.
The bulletin again explained 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”.
Advisory has further exhorted upon the 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 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.
