COVID-19 In JK: Ninth coronavirus death reported at SMHS Hospital Srinagar

Srinagar: A 34-year-old man from Srinagar’s old city was the ninth COVID-19 patient who died of coronavirus on Thursday morning at SMHS hospital Srinagar the top referral hospital in Kashmir valley. Meanwhile 18 fresh cases were reported till evening hours and with the no of coronavirus positive cases has risen to 793.
Officials said 34 year old COVID-19 patient admitted at SMHS hospital Srinagar died on Thursday morning after which the body was buried by the officials as per protocol. Dr Salim Khan, Covid 19 the nodal officer at the top referral hospital of the summer capital while confirming the ninth coronavirus death on Thursday morning said, “the 34-year-old from old city’s Alamgiri Bazar died in the hospital even as doctors tried to save his life.” Officials said the man had been attending to his father, a cancer patient admitted at a super specialty hospital in the city, where he could have got infected. Soon after the case was detected, samples of patients and their attendants were taken for testing. This is the third death in Srinagar district which has reported more than 100 positive cases. The 34-year-old is the youngest patient to have died due to coronavirus. Those who died earlier were old or middle aged and were suffering from other ailments. Besides wearing face masks, the Srinagar administration cancelled all curfew passes and fresh ones were issued.
Meanwhile the Government in it’s daily bulletin on Thursday informed that 18 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 03 from Jammu division and 15 from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 793.
The Government bulletin said that out of 793 positive cases, 449 are Active Positive, 335 have recovered and 09 have died. Moreover, 13 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals of Kashmir Division. The Bulletin further said that out of 37706 test results available, 36913 samples have tested as negative till May 07, 2020.
Furthermore, till date 84900 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 16387 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 186 in Hospital Quarantine, 449 in hospital isolation and 8121 under home surveillance. Besides, 59748 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora with two new positive cases has taken the total to 134 positive cases with 70 Active Positive, 63 recovered (including 01 recovery today), 01 death; Srinagar has 126 (including 02 today) positive cases with 47 Active Positive, 76 recovered, 03 deaths; Anantnag district reported 1 new cases which led to 122 positive cases with 120 Active Positive, 01 recovered, 01 death; Baramulla has 105 positive cases (including 01 reported today) with 60 Active Positive, 42 recovered, 03 deaths; with 04 fresh cases today, Shopian has 98 positive cases with 64 Active Positive, 34 recovered (including 09 recoveries today); Kupwara has 69 positive cases with 38 Active Positive, 31 recovered; Budgam with 01 new case has 31 positive cases with 19 Active Positive and 12 recovered cases; Ganderbal has 16 positive cases including 1 case reported today with 02 Active case and 14 recoveries; Kulgam has 12 positive cases with 07 Active Positive and 05 recoveries including 02 recoveries today; Pulwama reported 12 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 08 active positive, 04 recovered (including 01 recovery today).
Similarly, Jammu has 31 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 05 active positive cases and 26 recoveries; Udhampur has 22 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 02 active positive case, 19 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 07 positive cases with 03 Active Positive and 04 recoveries; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, 01 active positive and 03 have recovered; Kathua has 01 positive case who is active positive; Kishtwar had only 01 positive case who has recovered while Ramban and Reasi districts have 01 active positive case each .
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The Advisory has urged upon the public to maintain Social distancing as it is the Key to stop and prevent the spread of COVID-19 from those who are infected to those who are not infected. Besides, reduce physical contact with others, keep at least 2-meter distance between yourself and others, when you are out. The more space between you and others, the harder it is for virus to spread. Many people with COVID-19 don’t develop/show any symptoms and don’t feel unwell, that is why it is important to practice social distancing at all times to avoid contact with someone who is infected but not showing any symptoms. For practicing social distancing, we should avoid having guests/neighbours visit our homes to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.
The advisory further explains that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease, let us be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk so people are advised not to fear and call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice in case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing and report early.
Advisory urged people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water.”
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.
People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 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).
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media. People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.