J&K reports 2nd COVID-19 death

5 more test positive, total reaches 38

30/03/2020

JAMMU, Mar 29: A COVID-19 positive patient has died in Srinagar, said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning), Jammu and Kashmir Government. "Sad start of the day. The unfortunate demise of a coronavirus patient has been reported from Srinagar this morning," said Kansal. With this, two COVID-19 deaths have now been reported from the Union Territory.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), there are 918 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, out of which 79 people have been cured or discharged. Meanwhile five more COVID-19 cases have been reported in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning.
"Five more people test positive in Kashmir including two from Srinagar, two from Budgam and one from Baramulla," said Kansal. Till now, two COVID-19 deaths have now been reported from the Union Territory of J&K. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total confirmed coronavirus cases in India rose to 1024 and 27 deaths.
A group of 24 labourers were sent to a quarantine facility in Poonch district of on Sunday after they returned by foot from Kashmir, trekking the snow-covered high altitude passes over the past two days, officials said. They were seen moving down from south Kashmir Shopian district to Thanamandi via Poshana along the old Mughal road and were subsequently taken to a medical unit at Dogrian for preliminary examination, a defence spokesman said.
Mughal Road, which connects the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu with Shopian district of the valley, usually remains closed for winter months owing to heavy snowfall along the Peer Ki Gali. The snow clearance operation is underway and the road is expected to be thrown open for traffic next month.
Army educated the group about the preventive measures, symptoms and care for coronavirus. Thereafter, they have been sent to a quarantine facility established by the civil administration in Surankote (Poonch), the spokesman said.
Officials said the labourers set out for their village on Friday and braved inclement weather to reach Thanamandi. All of them are in good health. They have been taken to the quarantine facility as a precautionary measure, a police official said.
Meanwhile, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Police, NGOs and various other social and religious organisations reached out to the distressed people, especially migrant labourers, and provided them ration kits.
In view of the prevailing situation arising due to outbreak of Covid-19, the JMC besides undertaking sanitation, spraying and fumigation drives also took steps to provide the dry ration to the needy and downtrodden persons living in the slum areas within its limits, an official of the Corporation said.
He said 11 sites were identified out of which three such locations including Panjtirthi Dounthli towards Circular Road, Bawa Basti Dogra Hall and Kabir Colony Dogra Hall have been covered.
About 300 kits of dry ration comprising essential commodities like wheat flour and Rice (5 kg each), Dal, Salt and Sugar (1kg each), edible oil (1 Litre) and Onion and Potatoes (2 kgs each) have been provided to each family living there.
The other locations would also be covered in the continuous drive for distribution of dry ration kits in slums within the limits of JMC, the official said. However, government today informed that 6465 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance and, so far, 38 cases (34 active positive, 02 recovered and 02 deaths) have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 3260 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 307 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 2163 while as 735 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period. The Bulletin further said that 588 samples have been sent for testing of which 542 tested as negative while as 8 reports are awaited till March 29, 2020.
Urging people to stay calm and not to panic, the advisory said Government has undertaken aggressive contact tracing and testing campaign to detect Covid-19 positive cases for taking necessary preventive measures for containment of spread that is why the number of confirmed positive cases is increasing.
Giving the details about Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package and Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19', advisory said it will provide an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for ninety (90) days to public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this pandemic.
On account of the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired/ volunteer/ local urban bodies/contract/daily wage/ ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/autonomous hospitals of Central/States/UTs, AIIMS & INIs/ hospitals of Central Ministries can also be drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities. These cases will also be covered subject to numbers indicated by MoH&FW, GoI.
Appealing people to lend their support in fighting the disease, the advisory called for strict implementation of social distancing measures, disclosure of travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and reporting any contact with positive cases voluntarily. "People are therefore urged to stay inside their homes and take the lockdown seriously and uphold the instructions laid out by the government in a coordinated effort to protect themselves, their families & people in general," reads the advisory.
Public is advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly. "People should call on Covid-19 helpline numbers and inform about their health condition along with any recent travel or contact history so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed."
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24x7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll free No. 102.
Similarly, people can also call 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).
Stressing on need to avoid un-necessary travel, advisory urged public not visit crowded places and avoid large gatherings, not to spit in public. People must also take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes.
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and to rely only on the information released by the government 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.

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