COVID-19 claims first life in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir on Monday reported fourth death due to COVID-19, taking the death toll due to the virus in J&K to 45.

Dr Nazir Choudhary, Medical Superintendent SMHS Hospital, said that the 55-year-old COVID-19 patient, a resident of Pampore in Pulwama district, died of “pneumonia among other underlying ailments”.

Earlier, a 65-year-old man from Handwara died at CD Hospital here, eleven days after he was admitted to the facility, one of the exclusive institutes meant for the management the COVID-19 patients in Kashmir Valley.

Dr Salim Tak, Medical Superintendent CD Hospital, said that the COVID-19 positive sexagenarian had multiple underlying ailments and died this afternoon.

With the fatalities, the number of the people succumbing to the virus in J&K has gone up to 45.

Last night, a 40-year-old paramilitary CRPF trooper and a 35-year-old resident of Khaniyar Srinagar died at two hospitals here.

Confirming the death of the paramilitary trooper, Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS said that the swab samples of the personnel, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was taken on June 05 which subsequently returned positive for the pathogen.

“He expired on June 07 due to cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient was diagnosed with ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome),” he added.

Sources said that the personnel was posted with CRPF’s 90 Battalion at Uranhal Anantnag.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man from Miskeen Bagh Khaniyar died last night at CD hospital, hours after he was shifted from SMHS hospital after he tested positive for the virus, Dr Salim Tak said.

“He was admitted in SMHS hospital. Soon after his swab sample returned positive for COVID-19, he was shifted to CD Hospital where he died,” he said.

So far, Srinagar district with 12 deaths due to the virus has the highest fatalities, followed by Baramulla seven, Anantnag six, Kulgam four, three each in Shopian, Kupwara and Jammu, two in Budgam while one death each has been reported from Pulwama, Bandipora, Doda and Udhampur.