Teachers, staff to perform duties
No fresh case in J&K, 2 high viral load cases found -ve
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 12: One more Covid-19 case was reported today from Ladakh taking the total number of positive cases in the UT to three while in J&K, no fresh case was reported and to the much relief of the J&K administration, two persons which were earlier reported having high viral load, were tested negative.
“Another person with travel history to Iran tested positive for Coronavirus in Ladakh this morning. The patient was immediately shifted to isolation ward set up at Ladakh Heart Foundation Hospital,” UT Ladakh Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education Rigzin Sampheal said today.
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He said that six family members of the patient are under observation at quarantine and their samples have been sent to Delhi. The man was part of a group that had gone to Iran on a pilgrimage, he informed. He further disclosed that reports of 25 samples have been received so far out of which 22 samples were found negative for Covid-19.
“Last week, two persons tested positive for the contagious virus in the Union Territory. All the patients belong to Chushot Gongma area where people from a pilgrimage from Iran had returned last month,” Sampheal said, adding, the area has been cordoned off and all essential supplies are being provided to the villagers by the Union Territory administration.
Meanwhile, the market in Leh city wore a deserted look as most of the shops remained closed and people preferred to stay indoors. All social and public gatherings have been cancelled and educational institutes including colleges closed till 31st March in both districts of Leh and Kargil.
Meanwhile, the Finance Department today allowed the Director Health Services, Jammu to purchase items urgently required to tackle Coronavirus crisis without quotation.
However, the Government of J&K UT today informed that 1433 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance and, so far, only one case has been tested positive in the UT.
“1178 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 17 are in hospital quarantine. Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 80 while as 158 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period,” a Government spokesperson said.
He disclosed that 74 samples were sent for testing, of which 29 tested as negative and only one case has tested positive, so far while as reports of 44 cases are awaited till March 12, 2020.
“As per the latest travel advisory issued by the Central Government, all incoming international travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15th February, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days,” he added.
Further all passengers having travel history to coronavirus affected countries are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival, the spokesperson said.
He further disclosed that after Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura (Srinagar) and Government Medical College Jammu, testing facility for Coronavirus was also started today at Government Medical College Srinagar, where one sample was tested and then sent to Delhi for checking the efficacy of the laboratory.
“There is no need to panic, the public is advised to maintain social distancing; avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport; and also take basic precautions including personal hygiene, frequent handwashing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the spokesperson said and urged the people with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing to seek medical care at the earliest.
Meanwhile, official sources told Excelsior that a young man, who was declared having high viral load a few days back and was quarantined at Isolation Ward of GMC Jammu, was discharged today after he was found negative. They said at present three persons (one positive and two suspected Covid-19) are under observation in Isolation Ward of GMC Jammu.
Sources further informed that 17 samples have been tested till date in testing facility of GMC Jammu and out of them, 16 have been found negative and only one who was already declared positive for COVID-19 last week, was found positive. They revealed that out of 21 samples from Jammu which were sent to SKIMS Srinagar, one was found having high viral load but after retesting at GMC Jammu, it has been reported negative.
It was further disclosed that separate Covid-19 clinics were today started at GMC Jammu and SMGS Hospital, Jammu while the Department is also contemplating to start such dedicated clinics in District and Sub-District Hospitals.
In the meantime, Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, J&K UT visited today GMC Jammu, Super Speciality Hospital and SMGS Jammu and took stock of the preparations for Covid-19.
During his visit to the health institutions, Dulloo passed necessary directions to the Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu for focus on total health care system. He interacted with patients and their attendants and enquired about the facilities available.
The Financial Commissioner also visited Isolation Ward of GMC Jammu and enquired about the stock of all emergency drugs necessary for the management of Covid-19. He interacted with the group of doctors and assured them of all possible support from Government for the fight against Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, one person with history of cough, sore throat, fever sneezing, burning sensation of eyes and headache reported today at Government Sub District Hospital Mendhar. Having history of visiting Chandigarh and contact with a person who had returned from Iran, he was immediately shifted to Isolation Ward and later sent to GMC Jammu for test.
However, he is suspected not a confirmed case but as a precautionary measure, persons in contact with him have been traced and put on surveillance/quarantine.
Gearing up to fight Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian Army also set up today four isolation wards with 100 beds at Udhampur-based Northern Command Hospital to quarantine and treat suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients
“A team of specialist doctors will manage the suspected coronavirus patients. The isolation wards with 100 bed capacity have been set up with life-saving medical equipment and medicines,” a Defence spokesperson said.
He said the Command Hospital has also procured hazard suits, N95 masks and protective equipment for healthcare personnel. All patients will be triaged for respiratory infections and suspected patients will be treated in dedicated Covid-19 OPD, he added.
“The Hospital has tied up with the Indian Council of Medical Research for testing of the virus under strict bio-safety protocols while the outreach programs have been designed for active surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, home isolation, counselling and health intelligence,” the spokesperson said.
He further informed that Intensive information-education-communication campaign is being carried out in Udhampur station to sensitize Army personnel and their families about Covid-19 and its prevention.
In Kashmir, all the schools, Colleges and Universities remained shut today after Government last evening issued an order to this effect to prevent spread of coronavirus. The educational institutions and market places were deserted following the Government order. People today avoided unnecessary outing as a precautionary measure as there is already seasonal viral flu in Kashmir.
Over 1000 people including students and pilgrims from Kashmir are awaiting evacuation in Iran. So far 58 persons have been evacuated from Iran by Indian Air Force and they are under 14 day quarantine at Air Force base at Hindon near Ghaziabad. All those who are evacuated will be quarantined for two weeks before they are sent for 14 more days home quarantine and surveillance.
Government has appealed people that they should self-declare about their foreign travel history. It may be mentioned here that large number of Shia pilgrims have arrived in Kashmir from Iran and some of them have been identified and put under quarantine.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, this evening issued another order while clarifying on his order issued yesterday regarding closure of all educational institutions of Jammu Division.
“Vide Order No. Camp 1 dated 11-03-2020 closure of schools, colleges and universities was ordered in Jammu Division, excluding Board and Competitive Examinations, till 31st of March, 2020. However, it is clarified that the order dated 11-03-2020 shall be applicable only to the extent of suspension work in schools, Colleges and Universities, except for Board and Competitive Examinations, and will not be applicable to the teaching and administrative staff, who will report, as usual, to perform their assigned duties regularly,” read the latest order issued by the Divisional Commissioner.
Following clarification of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, the University of Jammu withdrew its order issued this morning. “The University order vide no. Estab/20/23439-528 dated 12/03/2020 stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” the fresh order said.
“The University employees shall report to perform their assigned duties as usual. All class work and student activities, functions, seminars, conferences, meetings involving large gatherings, Central Library etc shall, however, remain suspended till 31/03/2020 as a precautionary measure as ordered,” the latest order said.
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