SRINAGAR – At least six people with coronavirus like symptoms on Friday were admitted to Chest Diseases hospital here, while reports of fourteen others in isolation tested negative, as the number of suspects under surveillance in J&K reached 3300 today.
Head of the department CD Hospital, Srinagar Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah said that six more persons with ‘coronoavirus like symptoms’ were admitted to the isolation facility set up at the hospital today.
“Nine people, who were already admitted to the isolation ward, tested negative to Covid-19 today,” Shah said.
Similarly, reports of five people admitted to the isolation ward of SKIMS came negative today, Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo, told news agency GNS.
Among those who tested negative to Covid-19 are close two relatives of the lone coronavirus patient from Old City’s Khanyar.
Yatoo said that no person was admitted today at the isolation facility set up at the tertiary care hospital.
In a related development, SKIMS announced not to carry “elective surgeries and elective procedures” with immediate effect even as the emergency and semi emergency surgeries would continue along with life-saving intervention procedures.
“Emergency surgeries, semi emergency surgeries, cancer surgeries and life-saving interventional procedures will continue,” reads the MS’s order, adding, “Cancer related day care, chemo therapy, radiation therapy and diagnostic services which are unavoidable will continue,” the order issued by Medical Superintendent SKIMS Professor Farooq Ahmad Jan reads.
Meanwhile, the number of people under surveillance continues to grow with every passing day in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the media bulletin issued by the government today, 3330 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation and, so far, only four cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 2465 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 44 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 416 while as 405 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
The Bulletin further said that 186 samples have been sent for testing of which 178 tested as negative and only four cases have tested positive, so far while as four reports are awaited till March 20, 2020.
The government has appealed that any person with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries or person in contact with such a traveller, whether they are having symptoms or not, must remain in 14 days home quarantine. If any person feels unwell having cough, fever or difficulty in breathing that person should avoid exposure to others and seek medical care at the earliest.
The Government has also urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.
“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” the Government advisory said.
Further, the Government has appealed people to not panic and take care of health and protect others.
LG Warns Rumour Mongers
Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Friday warned of strict action against rumour mongers for spreading malicious propaganda or unverified news over the coronavirus pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was stated by LG Murmu in a high level review meeting held here to take stock of preparedness and the status of arrangements for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, an official handout said. The meeting was attended by Advisor to LG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo and senior officers of concerned departments
According to the handout, LG reiterated that there would be no shortage of essential commodities or any service. However, he cautioned the people not fall prey to the rumours of any kind and rely only on the government sources for authentic information.
“He also warned that action would be initiated against the rumour mongers who indulge in any kind of malicious propaganda or spreading unverified news,” the statement said.
He urged the general public not to panic and maintain the social distance as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 Corona Virus.
He further emphasized on the need to follow the advisories being issued by the administration from time to time to minimise the spread of the virus. He urged the public to take special care of the vulnerable age groups like elderly, children and the people with existing co-morbidities.
“Each and every individual would require to follow the guidelines being issued by the concerned authorities and hoped that with the cooperation of general public, corona virus would be contained and defeated at the earliest,” Murmu said.
Hailing the Prime Minister for his motivation and appeal to the public for ensuring self imposed ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22nd March, 2020, the LG thanked the Prime Minister for the initiative to contain the spread of the virus and assured the residents of Jammu and Kashmir that all necessary measures are in place to prevent the spread of the corona virus. The administration is working 24×7 for ensuring the welfare of the public, he added.
While lauding the efforts of frontline health workers, security forces and the staff of essential services, Murmu appealed to the general public to complement the efforts of the government and cooperate in breaking the chain by participating in the ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22nd March.
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