Less Than 2% Of Total Active Cases Have Been Hospitalized: Officials
Srinagar- Despite the rapid surge in daily Coronavirus cases, the rate of hospitalization due to the sub variant of Omicron continues to be very low in Kashmir Valley with substantially fewer cases requiring ventilator support, oxygen support and ICU admission, officials said Saturday.
A top official of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) told Kashmir Observer that less than 2 percent of total active cases in Kashmir have been hospitalized, that too, with non-lethal complications.
“The hospitalization rate in Kashmir is substantially lower than what we’ve seen in the first two waves. DRDO’s Covid hospital in Khonmoh hasn’t received any patients. Similarly, the leading hospitals in Kashmir have received very few cases and some haven’t received any cases at all,” said the official, wishing anonymity.
While underlining the need of vaccines, the official said that the reason behind lower hospitalization rate is the hybrid immunity developed among people due to vaccines and the earlier infections. “The weaning period of these vaccines is usually 6-9 months, which means that people have to get a booster shot to keep this immunity intact”.
While the recent surge in new cases have led to a rise in the valley’s active caseload and boosted fear of a possible fourth wave, doctors in Kashmir say that most of the fresh cases have mild symptoms.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr. Farooq Jan said that despite a surge in cases, the hospitalization rate is very low.
“The number of cases that require hospitalization is exceptionally low. Even though the cases are rising every day, there is no rise in hospitalization.
Considerably lower cases were kept on oxygen support,” Dr. Farooq Jan said, adding that there’s no need to panic.
Medical Superintendent, SMHS Hospital Dr Kanwaljeet Singh said that while there’s a surge in positive cases in Kashmir, most of the patients are managed at home as the symptoms are very mild.
“There’s an uptick in everyday testing at our hospital but as of now, there are a very few cases that have required hospitalization. We’ve kept about 17 beds for Covid patients but the new admission rate is still very low. Hypothetically speaking, if we get more than 5 cases on a daily basis, then more caution needs to be taken, otherwise the present situation is nothing to panic about,” Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh told Kashmir Observer.
J&K Adds 700 More Cases, Two Covid Deaths
Earlier reports suggested an upwards trend in the Covoid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. 703 more people tested positive for the virus, while two more people succumbed to the deadly infection in J&K during the last 24 hours.
According to officials, Kashmir Valley reported 494 fresh cases of novel Coronavirus while 209 others were detected from various districts of Jammu division thus taking the number of people infected since the onset of pandemic in J&K to 464062.
In the Valley, officials said, Srinagar registered the highest 240 new cases of Covid-19 followed by Baramulla with 101, Kupwara 43, Budgam 42, Anantnag 32, Bandipora 16, Kulgam 13, Ganderbal 6 and Shopian 1. Pulwama in South Kashmir was the only district in the Valley where no fresh case of virus was detected.
In the winter capital, they said, Jammu reported a maximum of 109 new cases of virus, Udhampur 20, Doda 19, Rajouri 16, Kishtwar 15, Ramban 11, Poonch and Kathua 6 each, Samba 5 and Reasi 2.
Also, the officials said that two more people died of Coronavirus related complications in Jammu division during the last 24 hours. So far, the pandemic has claimed the lives of 4770 people in J&K— 2341 in Jammu division and 2429 in the valley.
“Moreover, 458 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 212 from Jammu division and 246 from Kashmir division,” they added.
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