No reason to panic, says JK govt
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday said that it was fully prepared to deal with the threats being posed by the fast spreading Coronavirus also known as Covid-19 and so far no cases or samples collected have tested positive.
It also said self-declaration points have been set up at all J&K airports and check points have been established on Srinagar-Jammu national highway for screening travelers from the affected countries.
Addressing press conference at Jammu, Principal Secretary Planning, Development, Monitoring and the J&K administration’s official spokesman Govt spokesman, Rohit Kansal said that due to the spread of Covid-19 virus, situation is being closely monitored in order to identify any suspects.
“We are maintaining a full alert on this issue. The surveillance was increased, ever since first advisory was issued by the Centre on Feb 2, 2020. So far, a total of 201 individuals were contacted in JK, who either had a travel history to China, South Korea, Iran, Thailand or came in contact with the persons who travelled to these countries. At least 21 cases, tested, no positive reported so far,” Kansal said.
He said that the entire administrative machinery, including the health department’s machinery stands further activated and a full-alert, and all required facilities are being put in place.
“There will be 100 per-cent self-declaration at all airports of J&K in order to trace any traveler having history of travel to the affected countries. Similarly, check-points have been set up at Lakhanpur and Lowermunda on the Jammu-Srinagar highway,” he said.
He said that round the clock data centres have been also set up to keep a track on the information about travelers coming from the affected countries.
“We want to assure everybody that there is no reason to panic. All the required protocols have been taken and are being taken and will continue to be taken,” Kansal said. “Doctors, specialists, officers from the administration are reaching out to everybody through mass media informing people about respiratory hygiene that are to be taken and government will continue to do so.”
He said in case any person is found positive for Covid-19, facilities have been set up in Srinagar and Jammu, isolation facilities ICU and dedicated ventilators also put in place. “Samples of suspects are being sent to Delhi laboratory and we get reports within 48 hours,” Kansal said.
KV News
