Srinagar: Five persons with a recent history of travelling to coronavirus-affected countries have been kept in the isolation ward of S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after they showed symptoms of the disease, officials said on Thursday.
“Five persons with travel history to coronavirus affected countries have been kept in isolation ward at SKIMS hospital,” they said, adding their samples have been collected and sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
“One of them has travelled to Thailand. Two have been to Iran while as many have recently travelled to Wuhan in China, which is the epicenter of the disease,” they added.
Meanwhile, the administration of newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has taken several steps to ramp up efforts for prevention and control of novel coronavirus.
Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, has been appointed as overall in-charge of the coronavirus control efforts at the Union Territory level. He will work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K.
Meanwhile, Dr Shafqat Khan (designated Nodal Officer) shall work under the supervision of overall in-charge coronavirus control efforts (Mission Director, NHM).
At the Divisional Level, respective Divisional Commissioners shall be the overall in-charge of coronavirus control efforts and shall be assisted by the respective Directors of Health Services.
At the District Level, Deputy Commissioners shall be the in-charge of coronavirus control efforts to be assisted by the respective Chief Medical Officers.
The Apex Level/Divisional Level/District Level Officers shall ensure detection at the Airports/Railway Stations and other entry points. They shall also ensure creation of adequate quarantine, isolation and other requisite facilities besides undertaking adequate measures for surveillance of home quarantined persons.
