Admn in Kashmir steps up anti-COVID measures
Irfan Tramboo
JAMMU/SRINAGAR/ LEH, Mar 22: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today asked State and Union Territory Governments to increase the gap between two doses of Serum Institute’s vaccine Covishield to 6-8 weeks, instead of existing protocol of 4-6 weeks.
The Ministry said that immunity is enhanced if the second dose is administered after a gap of 6-8 weeks instead of the current gap of 28 days. The decision was taken on the basis of recommendations by two expert panels.
It may be mentioned here that only Covishield vaccine is being administered to the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is only for the Covishield vaccine and not for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin,’’ Health Ministry’s Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter addressing to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories.
He said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted the recommendations of NTAGI and NEGVAC, following which the Centre advised the States and UTs to administer the dose after an interval of 4-8 weeks.
The Centre said that protection is enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks but not later than a period of 8 weeks.
Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 positive cases spike in Kashmir, administration has taken several preventive measures to contain further spread of infection in the region.
While the Srinagar administration has already stepped up its drive to make sure that people wear masks, Deputy Commissioner Aijaz Asad has also warned of strict action against the violators of the SOPs in Srinagar.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioners of Kupwara and Bandipora also issued directives asking the general public as well as the employees working in various Government offices to adhere to the SOPs especially wearing face masks, while also authorizing the concerned officials to impose fines on the violators.
Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara in an order issued here today said that the usage of masks has been strongly advised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the same has been reiterated in various SOPs issued by the Department of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department of J&K because of a spike in COVID-19 positive cases.
“It has become imperative to ensure 100% usage of masks in the district to minimize the chances of further spread of COVID-19 cases,” it said.
The order stated that all Tehsildars/BDOs shall ensure the usage of masks in their respective jurisdiction and the penalty of Rs 500 for the first offence and Rs 1000 for repeat offence shall be imposed on violators and the same shall be credited to the District Red Cross Society under proper receipt.
“Further, all District/Sectoral Officers shall ensure the usage of masks in the offices working under their control. The entire exercise shall be personally monitored by the concerned Additional Deputy Commissioner, SDMs within their jurisdiction,” the order said.
Further, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara also directed for the sampling of passengers coming from outside UT of J&K, while he also reviewed the functioning of the District COVID-19 Control Room.
During a meeting here the Deputy Commissioner directed the Chief Medical Officer, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, BMOs and other concerned Health Officers to strictly ensure guidelines for containment of COVID-19 given the recent spike in cases.
Earlier, the health experts had warned that if people do not follow the set SOPs amid rising cases, there is every possibility that more cases would be reported across Kashmir.
The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora in a similar order also impressed upon the usage of masks and directed the concerned officials in the district to implement the order.
In an order issued here, the DC said that in the interest of health and wellbeing of the people at large, “…it is hereby ordered that all the Tehsildars/BDOs/Naib Tehsildars shall ensure the usage of masks within their jurisdiction. They are further authorized to impose a fine of Rs 200/- on those found without wearing masks in the public places for the first offence and Rs 500/- for the repeat offence,” he said.
He also directed the District/ Sectoral Officers to ensure the usage of masks in the offices working under their control. The fines collected, it has been directed, shall be deposited to the District Red Cross Society, Bandipora under proper receipt.
Also, the Block Medical Officer, Sopore directed today that all patients visiting any health institution of the Block Sopore should first undergo Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT). “Nobody will be allowed without masks and the people should maintain social distancing,” he said.
In Kashmir, 104 people today tested positive for COVID-19
Moreover, 86 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals including 69 from Kashmir Division.
Meanwhile, 28 persons today tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu region, 25 of them alone in Jammu district and one each in Udhampur, Rajouri and Kathua districts. Six districts in the region didn’t report any fresh cases today.
Seventeen persons recovered from the virus in Jammu region including 12 in Jammu district, three Poonch and one each in Rajouri and Ramban districts.
Jammu region now has 52403 Coronavirus cases. Of them, 290 are active positives as 51381 have recovered from the virus and there have been 732 casualties.
Among the casualties, the highest 379 have been recorded in Jammu district followed by 64 in Doda, 57 Udhampur, 55 Rajouri, 53 Kathua, 41 Samba, 24 Poonch, 22 Kishtwar, 21 Ramban and 16 in Reasi districts.
Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Ladakh today reported 12 new Corona positive cases, all in Leh district.
Ladakh now has 83 active positive cases.
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