Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR Mar 29: As the second COVID-19 death in Kashmir valley had no history of travel or contact, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today saw the possibility of community spread of COVID-19
In a statement issued here, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that this may be the first case to have contracted the infection from community exposure.
He said the elderly male hailing from Tangmarg area of Baramulla district had developed respiratory symptoms few days back and was admitted in SMHS hospital on Wednesday with pneumonia.
Dr Nisar said the deceased had no history of travel or contact with any positive case of novel coronavirus.
“This is significant because it means it is possible that the infection is spreading untraced in the local community,” he said.
He also said: “But, at this time, the deceased exposure is unknown and we believe this to be a case of community transmission”
Dr Nisar said community transmission means when a person contracts the virus from an unknown source. He said the need of the hour is swifter and wider testing.
“This would be important for determining if there is an actual burden of community transmission that would allow us to take the right decision regarding our response going forward,” he said.
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