Covid-19: 3 More Test Positive In Kashmir, J&K Tally At 109

Srinagar: Three fresh cases of coronavirus on Monday were recorded in the Valley taking the number of positive cases cross the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to 109, an official said.

Among them, one is from border town of Uri in Baramulla district while two others are from Srinagar district, reports said.

The case from the Uri is said to be 41-year-old woman whose husband, a teacher had tested positive last week. Her sample was sent from GMC Baramulla to SKIMS and it came out to be positive, the sources said. The Srinagar cases are said to be from Nowshera and Chattabal Srinagar.

The total number of positive cases in the Union Territory has now reached 109.

Out of total confirmed cases, there are 103 active case (85 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu division) as four have recovered, while two others have died.

Meanwhile, a government spokesperson in the daily media bulletin said that 35243 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance, including10556 persons in home quarantine, 615 in hospital quarantine, 103 in hospital isolation and 17506 under home surveillance.

“Besides, 6463 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period. 1708 samples have been sent for testing of which 1583 have tested as negative, and 16 reports are awaited till April 06, 2020,” the official handout added.

“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,” it added.

The bulletin urged the general public 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 bulletin stressed on people to take extra time and care for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. While detailing some simple strategies the bulletin reads,

“Spending quality time with family and getting involved in family discussions while staying at home during this period will help reduce anxiety and distress. Try to connect with your family members & loved ones through phone call or video call if they stay far from you.”

It called on people to engage in recreational activities like solving puzzles, playing some board games, listening to music, reading etc to reduce boredom.

“It is important to be physically active. Simple stretching exercises, simple yoga postures, walking indoors or meditation will be beneficial not only for your physical health but also mental health. Keep yourself busy in doing small activities at home to reduce boredom like gardening, cleaning and cooking etc. Cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting,” the bulletin reads.

144 More Set Free After Quarantine

The district authorities on Monday discharged 144 people on completion of their two-week quarantine period at the government run centrs here in this capital city.

All these persons, who had returned to Srinagar two weeks ago, were put for quarantine at private hotels acquired by the district administration, an official spokesperson said today. Most of the people discharged today hail from Srinagar, while some were residents of other districts of Valley.

The group like all others, the official spokesperson said was under thorough medical supervision throughout their quarantine period and was discharged after clearance from doctors and health authorities.
The district administration had arranged SRTC buses to ferry people to their respective destinations. Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar M Haneef Balkhi, who has been designated as overall in-charge of quarantine facilities, oversaw their discharge and transportation, the official spokesperson said.

“The remaining overseas-return or domestic travellers in administrative quarantine in the district will complete their quarantine period and will be sent home this week,” he added.

Shifting of overseas-return and later domestic travellers into quarantine facilities was part of Srinagar administration’s elaborate preventive measures put in place to contain spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Ganderbal Village Declared Red Zone

The district authorities on Monday declared Guzhama of this central Kashmir district as a ‘Red Zone’ after the village recorded first case of novel coronavirus.

The District Magistrate (DM), Shafqat Iqbal declared the village Guzhama of tehsil Wakura as ‘Red Zone’ today and urged people to cooperate with the district administration to stem the community spread of infection. The surrounding villages including Batpora and Khanpora were declared as Buffer Zones.

Iqbal ordered the concerned to ensure strict imposition of restrictions in the areas which have been declared red and buffer zones in the district.

Invoking prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, Iqbal said that there will be no inward and outward movement of any person from the village declared Red zone.

Meanwhile, the DM accompanied by SSP Ganderbal and ADM visited Guzhama village to monitor the situation and review the implementation of prohibitory orders in the area.