COVID-19: The chain gets longer as 8 test positive
First coronavirus patient discharged from hospital
Srinagar: Eight new positive cases of COVID-19 were detected in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, taking the total number of cases 70 even as the first coronavirus patient of the valley — a 67-year-old woman from the old city area — was discharged from hospital after recovering from the disease.
“First coronavirus patient from Kashmir discharged from hospital,” government spokesman Rohit Kansal said in a tweet.
On March 18, the woman, who had returned from Saudi Arabia, tested positive.
The first positive case in the valley had prompted authorities to impose restrictions in many parts of the city which were later extended to entire union territory after more cases came were detected.
Kansal also announced that eight new cases had been detected in the union territory on Thursday.
While five new cases were detected in Jammu region, three fresh cases were reported from the valley. One from Sopore, another from Pulwama and one person from Srinagar, reports said.
With this, the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up to 70. Of these, 53 cases were detected in Kashmir and 17 in Jammu division.
While two patients have died, three patients have recovered from the disease, leaving 65 active cases.
A doctor divulging details about the cases that tested positive today said the 70-year-old had returned on March 15 from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah.
Following an announcement by the administration that those who returned from abroad should report amid pandemic, the elderly turned up on March 21 at Sopore health facility where he was advised to visit GMC Baramulla from where he was shifted to CD hospital Srinagar, the doctor said.
“He was admitted for three days in CD hospital and after his test came out to be negative, he was discharged,” the doctor said.
The elderly, who puts along with his nephew, complained of uneasiness in breathing and developed other symptoms and visited the Sopore health facility again on March 31, the doctor said. The doctors at the Sopore health referred him to GMC Baramulla where his sample was taken afresh and sent to SKIMS Soura. “The report came out to be positive,” the doctor added. During his stay for almost a week between 24 and 31 March, the doctor said, “he has maintained isolation and nobody visited him.”
Regarding other two positive cases, sources said, one of them is a 20-year-old youth from Saderkote Balla in Bandipora who had come in contact of COVID-19 patient while other is a 53-year-old from Soibugh Budgam who had met his son-in-law who tested positive for the disease previously. All of them are admitted to SKIMS from where Kashmir’s first COVID-19 patient, a 67-year-old woman from Srinagar, has been discharged.
Meanwhile, Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo, said 6 more persons were admitted to the hospital and their samples have been taken and sent for the test.
Interestingly, test report of first patient admitted in Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar for Covid-19 has been found negative.
The patient (name withheld) was in hospital quarantine from past 15 days and today his test was found negative. Head of Department, Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar, Dr Naveed Shah confirmed.
He said that the first patient who tested positive for Covid-19 has recovered and today his second test turned out to be negative. He however didn’t divulge information about the location and name of the patient.
He added that quarantine is the best remedy to combat this lethal virus.
“We have to maintain social distance at any cost and stay indoors,” he added.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 70 positive cases, 65 are Active Positive, 03 have recovered and 02 have died, an official spokesman said.
Regarding their location 53 are from Kashmir division and 17 from Jammu division. The bulletin further informed that the first COVID-19 positive case from Kashmir division has fully recovered and has been discharged from the hospital.
Furthermore, till date 17677 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 10694 persons in home quarantine including in facilities operated by government, 622 in Hospital Quarantine, 65 in hospital isolation and 4109 under home surveillance. Besides, 2187 persons have completed their 28 days surveillance period.
The Bulletin further said that till date 1084 samples have been sent for testing of which 1010 have tested as negative, 70 positive and 04 reports are awaited till April 02, 2020.
The Bulletin informed the general public that in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.
Furthermore a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).
According to the advisory issued in the media bulletin, people are advised to remain calm and not to panic as the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the UT are being monitored at the highest level and necessary action to protect and safeguard the lives of people have been taken by the Government.
People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily. Surveillance teams are conducting house to house contact tracing of positive cases, people are requested to cooperate with the team members.
The general public is advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline No.s so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.
“People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.
Advising public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time, the Advisory urged people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time. (with PTI, KNT and GNS inputs)
KV Network
