For the last one week, the cases have soared dramatically and, on average, about 1500 daily cases were reported in a single week.
SRINAGAR (J&K) —
According to the government’s latest regular statistic about COVID-19 issued on Wednesday, a total of 2204 people tested positive for novel Coronavirus in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the last 24 hours.
As per the official statistics, it was the highest daily number of cases ever recorded in Jammu and Kashmir after the outbreak of COVID-19 last year.
1500 average new daily cases being reported
For the last one week, the cases have soared dramatically and, on average, about 1500 daily cases were reported in a single week.
On April 15, 1141 cases were reported; On April 16, 1144 cases were reported; On April 17, 1145 cases were reported; On April 18, 1526 cases were reported; On April 19, 1516 cases were reported; On April 20, 2030 cases were reported and On April 21, 2204 new COVID-19 cases were reported, as per the official figures shared by the UT administration.
As per the latest figures, the number of active cases in the UT has risen to 14,928 with 6,216 in Jammu and 8,712 in Kashmir.
‘Situation is alarming’, doctors say
Many doctors in the UT believe that the situation is alarming, given the dramatic jump in new daily cases of reported infections.
Dr Abrar, serving in a hospital at Srinagar, said that the dramatic spike in cases for the last one week is worrying. “The situation is alarming! We had merely 10,000 active positive cases in J&K a week ago, but the number has jumped to nearly 15,000. This is because more new cases are being detected than the recoveries,” he says.
“We need to follow the COVID-19 SOPs religiously and people should not be misled into believing that they won’t be infected given that they didn’t catch the infection during the last year’s COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent spike,” he cautions.
Doctors highlight new symptoms of virus
Doctors believe that people need to remain more vigilant as there is a change in the pattern of symptoms to detect the virus.
Former Director SKIMS and renowned Gastrologist, Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo states that apart from the spike in the cases, the change in the pattern of symptoms is also a new challenge to tackle.
“In the first wave, the common symptoms were cough, cold, fever and sore throat, red tongue and other mild symptoms related to respiratory infections but nowadays the common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness, eyeball pain and even vomiting,” Khuroo revealed.
Khuroo informed the gastrointestinal symptoms are becoming a common problem in several COVID-19 cases. “In many such cases, your nozzle and RTPCR test can show you negative for COVID-19 but you can still have the virus,” he says.
“No change in COVID-19 strain that existed in Kashmir last year”
Director Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, Dr A G Ahanger maintains that there has been “no change” in the COVID strain that existed in the Valley last year. He, however, said the COVID-19 cases have shown a “tremendous surge” in the past two months.
“We have been sending the COVID samples of patients to New Delhi and Pune laboratories for testing. There has been no change in the COVID strain that existed in Kashmir last year so far,” Ahanger said in reply to a query during a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday.
Tourism has no bar even after spike in cases
The administration in the UT has taken some steps to limit the gatherings of people, but tourism has been spared for the time being as there are no limits on the entry of visitors.
Educational institutions including coaching centers have been closed till May 15, examinations have been cancelled and annual Darbar Move has been deferred.
Also, major hospitals have closed Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) while J&K High Court has opted for virtual hearing of cases.
However, there has been no specific order from the government to limit the gathering of visitors in public parks and tourist places. Although, government has ordered restricting social gatherings to 100 people.
Restrictions return for shopkeepers and transporters
On Tuesday, amid continuing surge in the number of cases, the government ordered closure of 50% of shops in market complexes, Bazaars and Malls within the municipal and urban local body limits, on a rotational basis.
“Only 50% shops in Market complexes / Bazaars / Malls within the Municipal limits / urban local body limits shall be open on an alternate basis through a rotation system,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s office said in a tweet.
The government also extended night curfew in all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Corona Curfew at night shall be extended to all Municipal / urban local body limits of all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It was already in force in eight districts earlier, from 10 PM to 6 AM,” the LG’s office added.
Moreover, transporters have been asked to carry only 50% of passengers in comparison to their vehicle capacity.
No lockdown being imposed, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir says
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole on Tuesday said that there was no plan to impose any sort of lockdown in the valley as the administration is following the slogan of “Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi.”
“At present, we are following COVID-protocol. There is a callousness among people which needs to be plugged,” the Divisional Commissioner said.
Adequate oxygen available in J&K: Rajan Thakur
“Adequate buffer stock of oxygen cylinders is available and people need not to panic. Not a single patient shall die for want of oxygen in J&K,” Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Rajan Prakash Thakur has assured.
The Principal Secretary said that there is no shortage of oxygen. He stated that sufficient beds are available for everyone who is ill with COVID-19. “We are ramping up production for future demand and emergency,” he added.
He said administration has taken decision to divert oxygen from all non-medical uses to medical use in view of prevailing situation to ensure its abundant availability in all hospitals.
Rise in COVID-19 cases due to inbound travellers
The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir is due to inbound travellers, the Government of India was informed by the UT administration on Tuesday.
J&K shared the inputs during a review meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary with Chief Secretaries of all the Union Territories of India on COVID-19 status, the management and response strategy.
The meeting, held through video conference, was also attended by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, Dr Balram Bhargava, Secretary, DHR & DG ICMR. The DGs of Police of all UTs were also present at the VC, officials said.
