SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recorded three positive cases of the coronavirus disease on Saturday prompting the administration to order closure of all private and government schools upto primary level in many districts of the twin Union Territories.
“Two people from Ladakh have tested positive for coronavirus infection and both of them are being quarantined at the SNM hospital,” a senior health officer told Kashmir Observer over phone.
He said the two male pilgrims aged 76 and 65 had recently returned from Iran after undertaking the pilgrimage.“We are keeping eye on all pilgrims who have returned from Iran. Our health officials daily visit their places to enquire about their health,” the official added.
The administration in the Ladakh Union Territory has ordered the closure of all primary schools in Leh and Kargil districts as a precautionary measure.
Another case of coronavirus has been reported from Jammu region. According to news agency ANI, the infected person is receiving treatment at Government Medical College in Jammu.
Earlier in the day, an official spokesperson said that two suspected coronavirus patients undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jammu were “high viral-load cases”, while announcing an immediate suspension of all biometric attendance in the Union Territory.
The administration also announced the closure of all primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts till March 31, an official spokesperson said. He added that both the patients were kept in isolation at the GMC, Jammu. “They are stable and all protocols are being followed,” the spokesperson said.
2 Suspects Escape
Earlier two patients with a travel history to coronavirus-hit Italy and South Korea had fled the hospital’s isolation ward on Wednesday shortly after their admission, but were brought back within hours. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.”
All primary schools in Jammu and Samba districts will be closed till March 31 with immediate effect,” the spokesperson said.The final examinations are underway in most of the schools in the region. Officials said the exams were likely to be rescheduled after the opening of the schools.
No Biometric Attendance
The government also announced an immediate suspension of all biometric attendance in the Union Territory till March 31, the spokesperson said, while advising people not to panic as adequate measures were put in place to meet the challenge.Jammu and Kashmir has been put on alert to deal with any threat emerging from COVID-19 as around 200 people with a travel history to coronavirus-affected countries or who had contacts with people from such countries have been identified.Nearly two dozen suspected cases have been tested in the Union territory till date but no positive case has been reported so far.
FRO Issues Advisory
The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration on Saturday issued an advisory asking foreigner to fill-up self-declaration form on their arrival in the UT.
In a statement issued here, the foreigners’ registration office has asked all foreigners visiting Jammu and Kashmir UT to fill-up the self-declaration forms that they have not visited any Coronavirus affected country in the recent past.
The mandatory forms are available at the health counter established at all entry points i.e. Lakhanpur, Jammu airport, railway station and hotels.“Medical check up is mandatory for all those who have visited China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong as well as parts of India ,” the statement said.
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