Srinagar: Twenty-two more persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the number of COVID-19 patients in J&K to 300. Among them, reports quoting officials said the eighteen were reported from Kashmir and four in Jammu including three doctors. The total number of COVID-19 patients in the J&K now stand at 300-mark. According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 300 positive cases, 260 are Active Positive, 36 have recovered and 04 have died.
Furthermore, till date 56595 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 7784 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 270 in Hospital Quarantine, 260 in hospital isolation and 30228 under home surveillance. Besides, 18049 persons have completed their surveillance period of 28 days.
Moreover, 06 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged today 04 from SKIMS, Soura and 02 from DH Pulwama.
The Bulletin further said that 4871 samples have tested as negative till April 15, 2020.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 76 positive cases wherein 64 are Active Positive, 11 recovered and 01 has died, Bandipora 56 positive cases with 45 Active Positive, 10 recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 42 positive cases with 41 Active Positive, and 01 died; Kupwara has 25 positive cases and all are active cases; Shopian has 14 positive cases out of which 12 are active positive, 02 recovered; Ganderbal has 13 positive cases which are all active cases, Budgam 11 positive cases of which 08 are Active Positive and 03 recovered cases; Kulgam has 05 cases which are all active positive; Pulwama 03 positive cases where 02 are Active Positive and 01 recovered and Anantnag district has 01 Positive case which is active positive.
Similarly, Jammu has 26 positive cases of whom 23 are Active Positive and 03 have recovered, Udhampur 20 positive cases of which 15 are Active Positive, 04 recovered and 01 died, while as Rajouri has 03 positive cases with 02 active positive,01 recovered; Samba district has 04 positive cases which are all active positive. Meanwhile, Kisthwar has only 01 positive case which has recovered.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The advisory further said COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which spreads fast and can infect any one. “We can protect ourselves through social distancing, taking basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes and wearing mask or face cover while moving out.” Despite all precautions, advisory said, if anybody catches the infection, it is not their fault. In situation of distress, the patient and the family need support and cooperation. “It must be noted that most people recover from it, and those who have recovered from COVID-19 should not face discrimination,” reads the advisory.
Healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, allied & healthcare professionals, the advisory said, are rendering their services tirelessly to provide care and medical / clinical support in this situation of crisis. Similarly, sanitary workers and police personnel are also doing selfless service and playing critical roles in addressing the challenge of COVID-19. “They all deserve our support, praise, and appreciation.”
In this regard, all those directly involved in the management of COVID-19 are equipped with appropriate protective equipment to keep them safe from the infection. “Targeting essential services providers and their families will weaken our fight against COVID-19 and can prove grievously detrimental for the entire Nation.”
Furthermore, people are requested 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 advisory urges to follow the rules of lockdown with utmost sincerity until 3rd May 2020.
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108 while pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll free No. 102.
People can also call on toll free national helpline number 1075; J&K Covid-19 Helpline No.s 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).
Advisory urged public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and 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.